Aki Choklat, Hush Puppies, Bontoni. Bostonians, Bruno Magli, Carlos Santana, Jimmy Choo, Prada,  Ferragamo, Sandra Choi, Adidas, Asics, Clarks, Converse, Kenneth Cole,  Naturalizer,  New Balance, Rockport, Skechers, Timberland, Birkenstock, Keds , Nike, Nine West , Rockport , Fila, K-Swiss, Lacoste, PF Flyers, Puma, Reebok, Saucony, Stuart Weitzman, Cole Haan, Kate Spade.

No matter how nice, how new, how expensive, how popular, how trendy or how well liked and desired, a shoe with a rock in it is an unpleasant experience. Just one rock, a small stone in your shoe, will change your outlook on everything.

Until you remove it, none of the superlatives that should be associated with your shoes matters at all. You must remove that rock out of your shoe. As long as the rock is there you can smile and try to go on but the truth is that you are hurting on the inside. The further you try to advance with a rock in your shoe the more pain you will experience. You need relief.

Beauty, Education, Connections, Position, Salary, Investments, Portfolio, Charm, Home Ownership, Car(s), Suburbs, Downtown, Uptown, Midtown, Muscles, Smile, Hair, Family, Associates, Masters, Doctorate, Savings, Health, Energy, Figure, Popularity, Relatives, Talents, Skills, Employment, Entrepreneurship, Favor.

No matter what desirable traits possessed, how well liked or desired, a person with bitterness on the inside is like a person in good shoes with a rock in them. It is an unpleasant experience.  The stone of bitterness will change your outlook on everything.

Until you remove it, none of the superlatives that should be associated with you matters at all. You must remove the rock of bitterness from your life. As long as the rock is there, you can smile and try to go on, but the truth is you are hurting on the inside. The further you try to advance with a rock of bitterness in your life the more pain you will experience. You need relief.

Removing the rock of bitterness from your life can only be done in one way – you must forgive. It may not be fair but for your progress it is vital. It may not be easy but for your peace of mind it is necessary. The pain that bitterness brings is a pain that is not beneficial to you (or anyone else). It can only slow you down and rob you of the quality of life you were meant to experience.

It’s time to let it go. It’s time.  By God’s grace and a made up mind, take that rock out of your shoe and move forward. You have a greater destiny before you.

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins. Mark 11:24, 25 NIV

Remember learning to ride a bike? Most of us learned by that time tried process called trial and error. The process usually went like this: 

1) Climb onto the bike while someone holds it still. 

2) Get your feet set on the pedals. 

3) Start peddling when your supporter launches you forward. 

4) Repeat after falling until that magical moment happens.   

That moment of successfully riding was summed up by the broad smiles of both you and your supporter. 

What made this experience all the more memorable was that it didn’t take a book of instructions; it took a hand of commitment. It didn’t have to be a hand of years of experience; it just needed to be one of understanding, support, and involvement. 

Once you learned to ride, it became a part of who you are and something that can never be taken away. It’s what we call experimental knowledge. It’s not what you heard to be possible; it’s what you know to be possible (your scarred knees are your witnesses ). 

Today, it’s time for you to either push or pedal. If it’s your turn to peddle, you must get on the bike and get your feet set and ready to move. You can not worry about not succeeding on the first attempt, or the second, or the third. Just know that with trial and error you will succeed (although you will have scarred knees to show for it). 

Without a doubt, there is something more for you to accomplish. There is a higher level of productive living that you must experience. But for this to happen you must get ready to peddle with everything you have. As you’re being launched forward, you will only succeed if you focus and peddle. 

If it’s your turn to hold the bike and push, you must remember that the role you play will make the difference in the success of another. They cannot do it on their own. 

It will take a steady hand on your part to provide the support needed to prepare for launch. It will take energy and selflessness on your part to help propel someone else further than where you are standing. It will also take patience and commitment to allow someone the opportunity to fall (repeatedly) while they learn to move forward. 

The rewards for you whether you’re peddling or pushing are priceless. If you’re the peddler you will experience the liberty and freedom that comes through new growth and real progress. If you are the one to push you will have the inward satisfaction of knowing you played a part in launching someone else forward to their dreams. 

“Say no to wrong.
   Learn to do good.
Work for justice.
   Help the down-and-out.
Stand up for the homeless.
   Go to bat for the defenseless.” Isa 1:16, 17 The Message Bible 

Let’s go. It looks like a great day for some bike riding. 

Photo by Debra Howell