The Sole's Delight

Brian Tracy said, "Goals in writing are dreams with deadlines." Keeping with this mantra, I will chronicle my journey to my dreams. One of the jewels that I have gotten out of my personal development reading is the idea that you must take action to achieve your goals. Even the smallest steps taken consistently every day will bring forth an outcome. (As will taking no step at all) To begin this chronicle, I have started with a focus on the vision. The Bible says "Where there is no vision, the people perish" (Proverbs 29:18) What is my vision? In order to clearly see what I want, I need to remove the fear and doubt. The best way that I could figure how to do this was to find out who had already done what I am trying to do and understand what they did to get there. Step 1 - RESEARCH So I researched African American Shoe designers and found a great article which inspired me and left clues to what I need to do next. http://madamenoire.com/107925/9-african-ameri...

It's funny how we are called upon to decide our future at an early age, when we know little about who we are and what we want (at least that seems to be the case for most people). With each year that passes, I gain more clarity as to what it is I really want to do with my life and I am a ripe age of 31! LOL I must admit that it is a lot easier to take the traditional, cookie-cutter route and follow paths that have already been paved. The road is much smoother and somewhat easier to navigate. At the encouragement of my godfather, who is an erie mix of my mother and father, I am obsessed with pursuing my dream of having my own shoe line. Why would I do such a crazy thing now? I have a decent job, a house, a child, I'm back in school... everything in my life seems to be moving along rather smoothly. So why stir it up with a brand new project? I honestly don't know. It just feels like the right thing to do. I can't deny that I am a little freaked out at the idea of movi...

I dont believe in santa anymore my presents extend beyond the tree The reality of life has threatened to steal my shine my joy flows abundantly My passion is my purpose my heart is not contained in this body being purified by the fire my only choice is to sing

I don't usually get dressed up for work that often. The long island suburbs don't provide me with the same level of style inspiration that was abundant in midtown Manhattan. Nonetheless today i felt like doing something different and adding a little style to an otherwise mundane workday.

This has been an extremely challenging year for me. However the beauty of the challenge is in the triumph. I am still here. I am so greatful for all the wonderful people in my life and not to sound boastful but I am greatful for who I am. Many people would truly crumble under the weight of greiving not one but both parents in a span of 5 months. Although I do miss them imensely my spirit it joyful for them both. I know JonEvelyn Gainey and Lester C. Liburd are in heaven at peace in the presence of our heavenly Father. What more could I want? I do long to hear there voices and see their faces again but I am so comforted by the relationships we had and so proud of the people they are. I am Lauren Courtney Liburd because of them. :-) So although I get lonely and may even start to ask why things happened the way they did, I can't help but smile every day because I am here. My family is strong my loved ones are present in my life. My friends are abundant and my prayers are hea...

I am a boisterous river I am a mountains story I am a quiet feeling I am a fragrant flower I am a moonlit evening I am a peaceful night I am a writers thinking I am a wealth unfathomed And if you don’t recognize my presence, I am here And if you don’t recognize me, I am here I am a source of power I am excited journey I am the rock of patience I am a whisper singing I am unbridled freedom I am the thought from thinking I am a love unshattered I am the great orgasm And if you don’t recognize my presence, I am here And if you don’t recognize my presence, I am here And even if you don’t recognize me, I‘m still here And even if you don’t recognize me And even if you don’t recognize me, I‘m still here And even if you don’t recognize me, I am, oh, I’m still here Even if you don’t recognize me, I’m here, I’m here, I’m here - Jill Scott                    ...

I haven't really felt like writing much lately. My heart just hasn't been in it. Even though I obviously look at shoes, I have not had the heart to totally indulge in my passion in a while. I guess sometimes when you lose something special to you, it makes everything seem lessened. I do miss my mother so very much. I would love to hear her voice again. But I can speak to her, I will allow her love to speak through me until I find my own voice again. I chose these Louboutin boots because I think reflect this place in my life. The look like remenants of spring with bloom and blossom, but black and cold, wrapped in an elegant package. This season can still be worn with style. These boots reflect my current state of being. I am enjoying my life and having fun the way I should but I am also mourning the loss of beauty and friendship, long conversations and  laughter.  I feel like me but a little more hollow, not quite comepletely full. It's hard to press forward sometimes, i...

This weekend I went skydiving and it was amazing. I felt as though I was literally floating among the clouds. Time stood still a for a moment I experienced pure joy. I the was my first experience of pure positive white light since my mother passed away two weeks ago. I could feel her and I felt like I was getting a view of the world from her perspective. I spoke of her with my instructor during my entire decent back down to earth. I can't begin to describe the range of feelings and emotions I have had over the last two weeks. I hear her voice and I see her face. Last night I started texting her and was heart broken when I realized she wasn't going to answer back (at least not in that way). I miss her in a way I have never known possible, and yet I feel like I am never alone. She is always with me. I didn't expect to know life without her until I was old an gray.  She was my best friend.  I chose this Brian Atwood shoe for this post because it is simple, yet sassy, sexy ...

  It can be very unnerving, stepping into new shoes., taking on new adventures...doing something you've never done before. It is liberating to move past your fear and be daring. I have always been pretty conservative on the outside and more of risk taker on the inside? But what does that really mean? If I don't take the risk, can I really call myself a risk taker? Now as I grow into myself and I grow out of myself. The outside starts to reflect the inside until they are one in the same .

For so long, we as a species have consumed and produced, only to consume and produce more. The good thing about this process is that is has forced us to be innovative. If we don't have something we want, we make. Conversely in this era of "going green" we have learned to make something out of something we already have.  These Louboutin slingback are made out of trash from the Barney's retail store. For those of you who are familiar with Barney's, if there were ever a dumpster you wanted to dive into,Barney's is the one! One man's trash has been turned into every woman's favorite treasure!! LOL There is something to be said for having the creativity and vision to turn discarded items into artwork.(Is anyone else just have a flashback of Nick's trash can sculptures from Family Ties?? ...no??...ok maybe it's just me!! LOL) Anywho, It takes vision to create some thing out of thin air but it takes sapience to create something brand new o...

Anytime I don't feel right, or I find it hard to understand a challenge in my life, I read. I read to find an answer or a a word of comfort. I read to help me understand or to show me how accept what is happening. I read to make me feel better. One of the books that I always go back to is You can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay.  It is one of the best books I've ever purchased. Even though I am not going through any particular thing right now, I decided to open the book and this is excerpt is what I read: "Deep at the center of my being there is an infinite well of love. I now allow this love to flow to the surface - It fills my heart, my body, my mind , my consciousness, my very being, and radiates out from me in all directions and returns to me multiplied. The more love I use and give, the more I have to give - the supply is endless. The use of love makes me feel good. It is an expression of my inner joy. I love myself; therefore, I love taking care of my body. I lovingl...

I did not have a particular topic to write about tonight. I came home, ate dinner and started watching movies with my "mini me" (my daughter LOL) as I normally do. I decided to look for some new shoe inspiration and then I laid eyes on "Keita." I think this shoe embodies how I feel right now. It is simultaneously quiet and exciting. Lately, I've been feeling like I'm coming out. LMAO!! It's nor what you're thinking LOL. Maybe it's the hopes of spring coming.  Maybe it's just me. How about that? It's...just... me.   I am comfortable in my skin,comfortable with my style and comfortable with my choices. I can do whatever I feel. I can create this world in whichever way I see fit. This is not new news to me, but sometimes It's nice to remember the possibility. These shoes make me smile and just remind me that there are many things to enjoy.  I know some of you are asking, "She got all that from a pair of shoes?"  YES... I ...

Walking in a high heeled shoe is not just a matter of mechanics, it's an exercise in mastery. There is a difference between putting one foot in front of the other and moving with a shoe, and being able to walk comfortably and confidently in the shoe. It takes practice, poise, and balance to create the effect of effortlessly, rhythmically floating across a room. I like to call it the GROWN WOMAN strut! It's all that you are and strive to be composed completely in body movement. It is fluid feminine motion that speaks volumes without saying a word.    When I look at my little girl, I see the very best of me. Although we are a lot a like( I call her mini-me lol), at the ripe age of 7, I admire her individuality. It's not surprising that we have similar taste in shoes and clothing, which makes shopping with her a great time! LOL I know it's only a matter of time before she is trying (and I do mean TRYING) to raid my closet and get her feet into my shoes. When I was a little...

The older I get, the more I realize that many of the issues we face in life are based on misunderstanding due to miscommunication. If folks just learned how to speak to one another, many disagreements with be stopped before they ever have a chance to start. Being a person who likes to talk a lot (my friends and family would probably say that is an understatement!) it has a been a true change in mindset and behavior for me to listen. There is a quote that says something like, "God have us two hears and one mouth, so that we can listen twice as much as we speak." This is so true. Communication is not about forcing your thoughts and opinions on others or being able to master language in order to convince people that what you think and feel is right. True effective communication is based on your ability to receive, process, analyze and the thoughts and feelings of the person you are attempting to communicate with and respond in an understanding manner. This is definitely not an e...

There are definitely moments in your life when you have to take charge. Weakness is not an option and these bad boys have  "Don't Mess With Me" written all over them. They are truly Armed And Dangerous crystal bullets and all!! I have a greater appreciation for life. There are so many endless opportunities to do and be something that no one has ever seen. But in order to get what others don't have, you must do what others won't do. So right now I am on my grind, and it feels good :) People have asked me "what's up with the all the shoes?" It's obvious that I love me some shoes!lol but this passion has turned into something so much more. It is a creative outlet, a business, a way to relate to others and just a genuine part of my that I like others to see. I can honestly say that I probably spend about 4 hours a day, searching, researching, talking about and thinking about shoes. Like I said... I AM ON MY GRIND!!! The Soles Delight footwear con...

"The flower is the poetry of reproduction. It is an example of the eternal seductiveness of life." ~Jean Giraudoux Everything and everyone has a time and a season. I believe now is my time to indulge in whatever activity delights my soul. Each day I become more comfortable with who I am and understand my likes, wants and desires. The most significant thing I have learned about myself is to accept others for who they are as they are. It might sound strange, but as I stopped resisting the people around because they are not what I wanted them to be, I was able to more clearly see who I am. I am growing and changing, transforming into the woman... the person I am meant to be. It feels good. If we take time to look at the natural things around us, they don't struggle. Flowers don't struggle to grow. Trees don't will themselves into being. They just are. I hope this doesn't sound too strange. This post isn't meant to be some far out exercise in theory o...

I have hesitated to write something new until I was sure that I truly had something to say. At the end of the year there is always a time of reflection over what has happened and in the new year there is always the promise of what is to come. There are many things from 2010 that I choose not to reflect on. I know what happened, and in many cases I know why. As far as 2011 is concerned, I honestly have not chosen a theme for this year. I know the possibilities are endless and opportunities are presenting themselves every day. I am content with that. It's not that I don't have set goals that I want to accomplish, I most certainly do. Sometimes I feel as though I am always looking at the next goal and ready to check the next item off my list. I haven't taken the time to enjoy what I have right now. So maybe that IS my theme... Enjoying Right now. Toward the end of last year I found that paying attention to the smallest details about myself, made me feel good. Doing the li...