She walked in about ten minutes late so concerned about her tardiness. “I don’t even think I can tell you what happened to me.” She began trying to tell me why she was late before I could say anything. “I really think I am just getting dumb,” and she went on “I can’t remember anything anymore.”

I was certain it had to do with her being inundated with information. I knew she was going through a difficult time.  “I’m late. I walked in early and looked down at my feet, and I was barefoot.” Smiling and almost laughing as I envisioned the scene, I explained, “It really isn’t that unusual. I’ve worn two different colored shoes to the office before. I’ve known many other women who have done the same thing.”

Me sharing my personal experience seemed to put her at ease a little and when I looked down at her feet that were turning blue, I had to ask, “Where did you get shoes,  you said you are barefoot?” “Oh, Allison, I ran to the consignment store and then to my daughter’s favorite boutique across the parking lot.” I kept smiling thinking how resourceful she was to go to a store instead of driving all the way home. She kept talking, “The consignment store had nothing my size and the boutique didn’t either.” I was a little confused. After all, she did have shoes on.  “Where did you get your shoes?” She looked at me like a cat with a mouse in its mouth, “I got a size too small at the boutique, my feet are squished into them.”

Isn’t this just the way we do things sometimes in our lives? We rush around in a panic looking to find something that will fit and when we don’t find it, we settle by forcing it.

When is the last time you forced something and not let it take its natural course? Did it hurt you or anyone else?