Real Stories by Real People - Short Stories to Read Online

So Long, and Thank You

2007-04-01T05:31:00.000-07:00

The photos of Lauren Benning Haag's daughter Natalie tell the story: much has changed over the past three years. At the time of Lauren's first journal entry, Natalie was wearing diapers, eating from a high chair and still learning to walk. Today she is a contemplative little being who hums Beethoven's "Ode to Joy," seeks assistance when she hears a crying infant, and questions the motives of any jolly fat man in a red suit who sneaks down people's chimneys in the middle of the night. Every month, through Lauren's candid reflections, we have witnessed an emerging soul's growth — Natalie's and those of so many others.

Unfortunately, the stories that have given life to Shoe Woman Magazine have stopped coming in and so, as editor, I know it is time to let it go. With my deepest gratitude, I honor every one of you who, with honesty and courage, have opened your lives and shared your stories on the pages of Shoe Woman. You have shared your struggles, triumphs, tragedies, joys, dreams and disappointments. You have shown us the humanity and divinity that co-exist within us all.

Know that, although the magazine must end, your value and the value of the stories you shared here will never end. The lives you touched, the soul-to-soul connections you made with your words will continue to unfold in ways neither you nor I can even imagine.

My dream of connecting all people through the power and wisdom of their stories does not end of Shoe Woman Magazine. I simply must find another means of pursuing it. I pray for a world entirely defined by acceptance, non-judgment, safe self-expression and loving connection. My prayers go with each of you as you become and express all that you are meant to be.

Gratefully,

Charlotte Rogers Brown,
president and co-founder Shoe Woman's Network

Looking for Story Writers

2007-02-28T12:50:00.000-08:00

Dearest Readers, we've been here once before and we're here again. Since the last time we made an appeal for stories to keep the vision of Shoe Woman Magazine not just alive, but thriving, we were thrilled and honored by the response. New voices from cities across the United States and in other countries answered our request.

But then, the stories stopped coming. Aside from the contributions of our journal writers, we received just four submissions for our March issue.

Shoe Woman Magazine exists for you. It is an opportunity for you to enrich the lives of others and for them to enrich yours. We need your stories for this magazine to continue to send the message that our lives, our stories are valuable and powerful beyond measure.

You, your life, your stories can touch other lives in miraculous ways. By sharing your life with others, you give them the gift of knowing that they are not alone in any human experience and that our differences are worthy of being embraced and celebrated. And you give yourself the gift of knowing that your life is rich in the wisdom of experience and truly makes a difference.

Blessings to you all.

Keep Me Accountable - I Dare You!

2007-02-06T09:15:00.000-08:00

I have a confession to make. Those slightly baggy tops I've been wearing for the last year or two are not part of any fashion statement, although camouflage clothing is still popular in some circles and my intention is, indeed, concealment.

I have about 20 pounds to lose. There - I've said it. I never used to gain weight around my tummy, but then I hit 50 and life - along with its figure problems - as I knew it changed. My tummy began competing with my thighs as my primary source of anguish and disdain. How incredibly unfair! After a lifetime of stationary bikes, jump ropes, long jogs and Buns of Steel™ videos to deal with my lower body, now I couldn't button my pants. So after taking a long look at the Abs of Steel™ video my husband keeps in the media cabinet, I went to kitchen, poured myself a big glass of wine and said, "To heck with it."

But this month I came to a decision. I decided it is time to get out of denial, put on my big girl panties and deal with this. The best way I know how to do this is to create some accountability.

So here goes.

On April 23, I will turn 54. A week later, the May issue of Shoe Woman will be coming to your computers. In that issue, in this feature, I promise to run two photos: one of how I looked at the start of this year and one taken on my birthday. Whether or not my body shows a difference is completely up to me.

In the meantime, write to me at info@shoewomanmagazine.net and let me know you'll be watching. I can't begin to tell you how nervous that invitation makes me, but I mean it. Scare me. Keep me accountable. I DARE you.

Should you care to join me on this road back to fitness, please write and we'll share your stories in our May issue.

Charlotte Rogers Brown,
president and co-founder
Shoe Woman's Network

Far-Reaching February Stories

Family

Feature Story: Wishes Is for Fishes, by Walter Gee
Paw Prints: A Lesson That Doesn't Bear Repeating,
by Karolyne Smith Rogers, PhD
Acorns: Move Over, Dr. Phil, by anonymous

Friendship

Feature Story: Reunion, by Patricia L. Brooks
Sole Mates:Forgiveness, by Karen Kurtz
Dear Friend: Candy Lou, by Jane Norde

Career

Feature Story: Birth of a Shoe Woman,
by Charlotte Rogers Brown
Childhood Dreams:My Tee Shirt Says It All, by Jami McFerren

The World

Feature Story: The Piled High City, by Maggie Dee
Memorable Journeys: Hort!, by Judy Schwiebert
Traditions & Ties: Under the Quilts, by Holland Schrank

Journals

Michaels's Journal
Lauren's Journal
Theresa's Journal

Life Happens

Ego Trips: Hindsight Really Is 20/20, by Michael Norde
Amazing Feets: The Will to Surrender, by Rev. Hilary Manley
Odd Coincidences: The Book That Refused to Leave Me,
by Courtni Dyer
Wabi-Sabi: "You're a Riot, Alice", by Roseanne Boyle

Sole Men

Feature Story: Meditation, by Don Beams

Editor's Page

Charlotte's Story: Keep Me Accountable - I Dare You!,
by Charlotte Rogers Brown
Charlotte's Choice: I Am . . . , by Shoe Women/Shoe Man
Helpful Hints
Your Sole Work

TO CELEBRATE A NEW YEAR OF SHOE WOMAN MAGAZINE, WE OFFER YOU A FREE GIFT!

2007-01-04T05:57:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! This month's issue of Shoe Woman Magazine features our favorite stories from 2006. We also introduce two new Journal Writers: Michael Schrader of Las Vegas, NV, who will share his experiences as a single father, an overseas adventurer, and member of a large extended family; and Theresa Keves of Phoenix, AZ, who will share her experiences growing up in Birmingham, Ala, as the daughter of two entrepreneurs who inspired her own career in business. Lauren Benning Haag from Napa, CA, continues her reflections on motherhood as her daughter Natalie, now 3,continues to learn and grow.

The first 10 new contributors to Shoe Woman will receive a copy of "In Our Shoes: Seven Women Reveal Their Soles," the book and stage presentation that inspired the creation of Shoe Woman Magazine. ALL former contributors who inspire a friend or family member to contribute a story to Shoe Woman also will receive a free copy of the magazine. Just have your friend or family member give us your name and e-mail address and we will contact you for mailing information.

We wish you a New Year rich with love, joy, peace and connections with others around the world. In this issue:

Jazzy January Stories

Family

Feature Story: A Hole in My Heart, by Jennifer Lowe
Paw Prints: A Tale of Two Puppies, by Michael Schrader
Acorns: Being Appreciated, by Caroline Timm Schwiebert

Friendship

Feature Story: Breasts A Go-Go, by Sally Gebler
Sole Mates:The Return of My Dream Man, by Jolie Roundy
Dear Friend: Because You Stand for Humanity, by George Roundy

Career

Feature Story: Today I Did Something Really Scary…,
by Rev. Sandra Hopper
Childhood Dreams:To Go Again, by Don Beams

The World

Feature Story: From Outhouses to Pull Chains: One Girl’s Journey,
by Pauline Sandell
Memorable Journeys:Coming to My Place of Gilgal, by Kate Forrest
Traditions & Ties: Happy Year of the Dog, by Dinah Lin

Journals

Michaels's Journal
Lauren's Journal
Theresa's Journal

Life Happens

Ego Trips: Africa’s Answer to the Indy 500, by Erika Amoako-Agyei
Amazing Feets: Ironman, by Cynthia Vale
Odd Coincidences: The Miracle of the Ladybugs, by Glora Whitaker
Freudian Slippers: A Dollar’s Worth of Truth, by Ramona Sallee
Wabi-Sabi: The Up-Side of Traffic School and Other Surprises,
by Holland Schrank

Sole Men

Feature Story: Marie, by Hugh Davis

Editor's Page

Charlotte's Story: Catalog Crazy, by Charlotte Rogers Brown
Charlotte's Choice: The Dressing Room Blues,
by Karen Vanasse
Helpful Hints
Your Sole Work

Dazzling December Stories

2006-12-31T07:23:00.000-08:00

Catalog Crazy

I have fallen in love with catalogs. That's fortunate considering I get dozens of them in the mail every week. At some point in time I ordered an item from some catalog which put me on the mailing list for a host of others, some wonderfully imaginative and others fascinating for their utter lack of taste. Between them, there is something to appeal to everyone on my shopping list, from my dignified mother to my brother-in-law, Bob, who's been known to stick wine corks in his ear at restaurants. Every catalog now comes with a convenient website address to make catalog shopping easier than ever. With the holidays upon us, I thought I'd share some of the more unique items I've run across in my catalogs this year. Perhaps I can assist you in your holiday shopping.

If you are a member of my family or circle of friends, STOP READING RIGHT HERE! While I won't mention anything I ordered for any of you, I don't want you sneaking around any of these websites like a bunch of kids shaking packages under the tree. BEHAVE YOURSELVES!

For the Bobs or Bob-like relatives on your list, you might consider the “lunch lady action figure” complete with hairnet, serving station and food tray; the Walter the Farting Dog plush doll and storybooks; or the Monte Python lounge pants (www.whatonearthcatalog.com). Or you might go with the “Bubba Claus” doll that sings The Twelve Days of Redneck Christmas, the wine glass that holds an entire 750ml bottle (www.lighterside.com), the Pop-Up Book of Phobias, or the Fred-O-Matic kitchen timer that plays an assortment of 70's game show themes (www.signals.com).

In the imaginative, suitable for anyone category, here are some of my picks: the personalized night sky poster that shows what stars were in the sky on the day you were born or any other special occasion in your life (we actually bought this for Bob and he loved it, too); silver cuff bracelets engraved with sayings such as Be Still And Know That I Am from Psalms and Michelangelo's Ancora Imparo (I am still learning); and the record album frame (www.signals.com). For the females on your list, I recommend checking out www.femailcreations.com. And for the kids, catalogs offer toys to engage their minds, bodies and spirits. I'm partial to the wooden Legendary Dragon Kit and the Talking Globe from www.mindwareonline.com, and the Whodunit Forensic Science Lab and Night Vision Goggles with Dart Launcher from www.discoverystore.com. So cool.

As several of our contributors remind us in this issue, gifts from the heart are better than gifts from a store or catalog any day of the year. And I believe that our experiences, our stories, are among the best gifts we can ever share. But I've enjoyed my catalog shopping excursion just the same. It has felt like a treasure hunt on behalf of the people I love.

As you celebrate Hanukkah, Kwansa or Christmas, know that we at Shoe Woman wish you great joy and love this season and throughout the New Year.
Charlotte Rogers Brown

Family

Feature Story: Fondue and Kisses, by Holland Schrank

Paw Prints: The Miracle, by Diana Sieberns

Acorns: My Sixth-Grade Year, by Carol Knarr

Friendship

Feature Story: The Gifts of Sisterhood, by Patricia L. Brooks

Sole Mates:Ties That Bind, by Jane Norde

Dear Friend: Christmas Daydreams, by Janet LaPlante

Career

Feature Story: The Career I Found Along the Spiritual Path,
by Sandra Allison

Childhood
Dreams:Global Spirit, by Judy Schwiebert

The World

Feature Story: Cinque Terre, by Judy Schwiebert

Memorable Journeys: Moving to the Middle of Nowhere, by

Ramona Sallee

Traditions & Ties: True Gifts, by Janet LaPlante

Journals

Maggie Dee's
Journal

Lauren's
Journal

Life Happens

Ego Trips: Exterminate This!, by Charlotte Rogers Brown

Amazing Feets: Kim, by Charlotte Rogers Brown

Freudian Slippers: You Have Crossed Into the Twilight Zone,
by Ramona Sallee

Wabi-Sabi: Holiday Withdrawal, by Holland Schrank

Sole Men

Feature Story: Seoul Survivor, by Michael Schrader

Editor's Page

Charlotte's Story: Catalog Crazy,by Charlotte
Rogers Brown

Charlotte's
Choice: The “Santa Claus Cookie Lady”,

by Eleanor Rogers

Helpful
Hints

Your
Sole Work

Novel November Stories

2006-11-01T04:22:00.000-08:00

In this Issue

Family

Feature Story: Letting Go, by Janet LaPlante
Paw Prints: A Tale of Two Puppies, by Michael Schrader
Acorns: Closet Reader, by Ramona Sallee

Friendship

Feature Story: Breasts A Go-Go, by Sally Gebler
Sole Mates: Just Love Over and Over, and Over Again,
by Misty Laesser
Dear Friend: A Walk of Courage, by Jane Norde

Career

Feature Story: The Battle of the Thighs, by Karen Vanasse
Childhood Dreams: Wanting Out, by Karolyne Smith Rogers, PhD

The World

Feature Story: Being There. . . And Here, by Judy Schwiebert
Memorable Journeys: Coming to My Place of Gilgal, by Kate Forrest
Traditions & Ties: Give Us This Day Our Homemade Bread!,
by Holland Schrank

Journals

Maggie Dee’s Journal
Lauren’s Journal

Life Happens

Ego Trips: It’s Hard to Win the Heisman
When You Can’t Get On the Team, by Kaci Malloy
Amazing Feets: Battling the Unknown, by Alison Lynch
Freudian Slippers: How Do You Spell JOY?,
by Charlotte Rogers Brown
Wabi-Sabi: Miracle Baby, by Janet LaPlante

Sole Men

Feature Story: Building Community, by Charlie Brown

Editor’s Page

Charlotte ’s Story: A Change of Perspective,
by Charlotte Rogers Brown
Charlotte ’s Choice: Sneakers, by Holland Schrank
Helpful Hints
Your Sole Work

Keep Those Stories Coming

2006-10-18T17:46:00.000-07:00

THANK YOU & KEEP THE STORIES COMING!!

First, THANK YOU to all of you who stepped up and submitted stories for our October issue. Through each of you - through your courage, honesty and willingness to share - Shoe Woman has continued to touch many lives for another month.

To keep going, however, the stories need to keep coming. While our vision is to see this magazine grow through the end of the year and beyond, we currently are facing a number of empty spaces to fill for a November issue including stories about children, pets, friendship, traditions, careers and childhood dreams.

Shoe Woman is a magazine for and about you. You make possible the vision of connecting all people through the sharing of our experiences. To all of you who have contributed stories, we extend our gratitude and admiration. To our ever-growing number of readers, we thank you for opening your hearts and minds to the experiences of others, and we extend the invitation to share stories of your lives as well.

With love and gratitude,

Charlotte Rogers Brown
Editor

October Issue

2006-10-02T05:13:00.000-07:00

Open-Hearted October Stories

Family

Feature Story: An Addition to Our Family, by Pat Lewandowski
Paw Prints: Our Woodland “Pet Shop”, by Ramona Sallee
Acorns: Being Appreciated, by Caroline Timm Schwiebert

Friendship

Feature Story: The WOW Women, by Judy Schwiebert
Sole Mates: The Return of My Dream Man, by Jolie Roundy
Dear Friend: TThe Sapphires of Salvation, by Jami McFerren

Career

Feature Story: I Did Something Really Scary Today,
by Rev. Sandra Hopper
Childhood Dreams: Someone Who Sees Her As I Do, by Leslie Borsuk

The World

Feature Story: Following a Dream, by Dinah Lin
Memorable Journeys: Thelma and Louise Go to Boron, by Jane Norde
Traditions & Ties: Gifts of Time, by Holland Schrank

Journals

Maggie Dee ’s Journal
Lauren’s Journal

Life Happens

Ego Trips: Africa’s Answer to the Indy 500, by Erika Amoako-Agyei
Amazing Feets: Walk as Though You Have Some Pride, by Ramona Sallee
Odd Coincidences: The Miracle of the Ladybugs, by Glora Whitaker
Wabi-Sabi: My Head Is Playing Tricks on Me , by Holland Schrank

Sole Men

Feature Story: Never So Pround, by Michael Schrader

Editor’s Page

Charlotte ’s Story: A Birthday on the Planet Geonosis,
by Charlotte Rogers Brown
Charlotte ’s Choice: Phantom Love , by Connie Alicea
Helpful Hints
Your Sole Work

2006-09-15T07:38:00.000-07:00

The Current Issue of Shoe Woman Magazine
Could be the Last!!!!

While readership of Shoe Woman Magazine has steadily increased, with new sign-ups nearly every day, story contributions are down. Without your stories, there can be no magazine.

I appeal to you, our readers, to keep this magazine alive by sharing your stories. Our vision has always been to connect people through the wisdom and power of our stories. Our vision has been to make a stand for acceptance and understanding in celebration of both our differences and
our commonalities.

I value our readers and contributors alike. But to keep going, to make our vision reality, we need more people willing to share. We know the prospect of writing personal stories can be intimidating, bringing up fears that the writing might not be "good enough" or that the story may not be well-received. But I can promise you two things:

1) whatever you write from the heart, from the truth of who you are, makes a difference in other people's lives, and
2) the words you choose are not important (besides, we'll fix any boo-boos in grammar or punctuation) - it is the spirit of your story that will never fail to bless others.

We need stories for our next issue-stories of family, friendship, career, travel, culture, pets, children, and anecdotes of the sometimes funny, sometimes awe-inspiring moments of life.

Your life is important. Your life has the power to inspire, entertain, encourage, support and comfort. Please allow us to extend the gift of your life to people everywhere.

Gratefully,

Charlotte R. Brown, editor

Surprising September Stories

2006-08-31T13:43:00.000-07:00

Tangerine Dream

by Charlotte Rogers Brown, president and co-founder
Shoe Woman’s Network

This past July, I spent a week in Portland, OR, with Mike and Annie, good friends from our days together in northern Idaho. Annie and I met when she went to work as the business reporter for the newspaper where I served as feature reporter. We’ve been best friends ever since — and part of what keeps us that way is our compulsion to venture into unknown territory together.

She and I took our first drawing class together. Together, she and I occasionally ditched class midway through and headed for the tavern where we could suck at wine instead of art.

Together, she and I witnessed our first kitten birth; waded through a frickin’ frigid wilderness stream to find the perfect Christmas trees; collected journalism awards (she placed second to my third in feature writing — my category!); took the required membership classes and joined a church. When I got married, she was there. When she miscarried, I was there.

Through 18 years, the number of “firsts” we’ve walked through together is only exceeded by the number of experiences we’ve introduced to each other; she took me to my first Moroccan restaurant and to the 24-hour Church of Elvis, and I took her to Bisbee, AZ, home of the picturesque Lavender Pit strip mine. But the shared firsts are best…

Which is why Annie took it upon herself to research local spas before my arrival in Portland. Wisely, she decided it was high time she and I experienced some high-class pampering. In her words, “If we have to wait until we can afford all the things we want to do, we’ll have to live to be 200.” So, with the idea that extravagance is like fear — you must face it and forge ahead anyway — we each signed up for three separate spa treatments at three different spas. After perusing the full menu of options, we settled on a milk and honey foot treatment at a spa resembling the throne room of a Moroccan palace, a shea butter massage at a hotel/resort spa, and best of all, the “Tangerine Dream” offered by a spa aptly named “Rejuvination.” Both of us had experienced massages before, but nothing to compare to the luxury we were about to indulge in.

Those of you accustomed to spa treatments won’t need much explanation, but for the rest of you, I’ll do my best here to translate the Tangerine Dream experience into words. After lounging in our cushy bathrobes, listening to the soothing fountain in the spa’s “sanctuary,” Annie and I each were met by a massage therapist who led us to our respective rooms. I can’t remember my therapist’s name; I could barely remember my own name by the time she was through.

Once my body was appropriately covered with a towel, and my eyes soothed with a small scented pillow, the therapist began by gently massaging oil into my skin, then loosening the old cells with what felt like soft brushes. She then gently massaged my skin with a combination of sea salts and tangerine oil. All thoughts, cares and petty anxieties drifted away on the citrus aroma and the gritty sensation of the salts.

Then came the Vichy shower — a cascade of warm water raining over my entire body from a bar suspended overhead. After several minutes, along with the warm tropical rainfall, I felt a drizzle of cool water up and down my legs and arms. Then the water stopped and the therapist handed me a towel to dry off. A moisturizing full-body massage followed, while I lay wishing this Tangerine Dream would never end.

I think Annie and I met up again in the hallway outside the massage rooms, but it might have been in the locker room. I’m not sure. I do recall that, after we both dressed, neither of us felt capable of driving anywhere. So we did the sensible thing and toddled over the restaurant next door for a glass of wine, where we vowed we would not wait until we are 200 to do this again.

We could lavish in the Tangerine Dream again next time. But I think not. Annie and I don’t like to repeat ourselves. So we have our sights set on the “Honey Almond Glaze” body scrub, or maybe the “Sweet Jasmine” wrap, or maybe the “Earth Elements” wrap that features hot towels steeped in mineral salts, juniper berries, ginger, rosemary and cinnamon, or maybe…

In This Month's Issue of Shoe Woman Magazine Stories About:

Surprising September Stories

Family
Feature Story: First Day, by Annie O’Gorman
Paw Prints: Diva Dog, by Holland Schrank
Acorns: Somewhere on the Coast, by Michael Lillis

Friendship
Feature Story: Brenda, by Sue Swenson
Sole Mates: Ode to a Traveling Love, by Jami McFerren
Dear Friend: The Dancer, by Jane Norde

Career
Feature Story: My Life Has Purpose and Miracles Abound, by Jami McFerren
Childhood Dreams: The Woman My Son Marries, by Charlotte Rogers Brown

The World
Feature Story: When in Rome...or Venezuela..., by Tanya Misfeldt
Memorable Journeys: Joshua’s Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day in the White Mountains,
by Renee Ripley
Traditions & Ties: Lineage of Light, by Glora Whitaker

Journals
Maggie Dee ’s Journal
Lauren’s Journal

Life Happens
Ego Trips: "Them", by Karolyne Smith Rogers, PhD
Amazing Feets: The Initiation, by Karolyne Smith Rogers, PhD
Freudian Slippers: What's in a Name?, by Ramona Sallee
Wabi-Sabi: Knowing in the Unknown, by Glora Whitaker

Sole Men
Feature Story: The Poker Guys, by Charlie Brown

Editor’s Page
Charlotte ’s Story: Tangerine Dream, by Charlotte Rogers Brown
Charlotte ’s Choice: I Know a Place, by Holland Schrank
Helpful Hints
Your Sole Work

Arresting August Stories

2006-08-02T07:04:00.000-07:00

A Yogini — That’s Me
by Charlotte Rogers Brown, president and co-founder Shoe Woman’s Network

Last month I shared the story of seeing my 7-year-old grandson, Nathan, earn his yellow belt in the martial art known as Jiu-jitsu. I explained how it had taken more than two years — countless hours of practice — to qualify to move up to that level of proficiency, and how proud he was of himself for reaching it. At an age when good things are hard to wait for, when patience is unnatural, Nathan accepts that progress in Jiu-jitsu is both slow and difficult, and I found great inspiration in that acceptance — particularly as I recently took on a new challenge of my own.

Two months ago, I signed up for a five-month program to become a certified yoga instructor. By the time I learned about the class, only one space remained. Impulsively, I signed up and, less than a week later, found myself in a circle of aspiring yoga teachers.

At 53, I am not only the oldest woman in the class, I have the least experience with yoga. As I observed these other women — some half my age — moving comfortably into positions that painfully cut off the circulation in my limbs, I could only watch and wonder what in heaven’s name I could have been thinking to sign up for this. That last glass of chardonnay must have killed the one brain cell I had left with any sense.

I only started practicing yoga two years ago. I fell in love with the practice, but as a means of getting in shape. After two years, I could see progress in my strength and flexibility, but remained in awe of my instructor whose lean, toned body moved with such ease. The idea of becoming a teacher myself never entered my mind, that is, until my husband brought home the flyer he found tacked on the bulletin board at work. Even then, I don’t believe I signed up for the certification program with the sincere intent of becoming a teacher; I simply felt drawn to the challenge.

And a challenge it is. Every class stretches me, literally, to my limits and beyond. It requires intense concentration to relax into each yoga position, to focus on the sensations in the body rather than resist the discomfort. Those positions that call for balance are the most difficult for me. While others balance in a graceful tree position — arms overhead, one foot lifted to rest against the inner thigh — my “tree” tends to quiver and fall as if someone came after it with a chainsaw.

At first, I felt discouraged. Worse, I felt foolish for enrolling in a class designed for would-be teachers. But two things have changed my feelings. First, I’ve taken to heart my grandson’s wisdom in accepting that anything worth achieving takes time, practice, even failure. Second, I’ve learned from my instructor and from my own study that the physical aspect of yoga — of practicing the poses or “asanas” — is only one small part of the practice.

The heart of yoga is in discovering and loving your true Self and, in turn, discovering and loving your connection to all life. This requires full acceptance of who you are right now, this minute — and that acceptance requires not judging yourself against some standard of what you think you should be. If you can’t stand in tree pose without falling over, so what? It’s the practice that’s important, not the pose. It is being fully present in what is, not wasting precious time and energy lamenting over what is not.

I’m learning the same holds true for every aspect of my life. I don’t reach every goal I set for myself, in the time frame I’ve devised? So what? I take steps, I do my best, and I evolve a little more each day.

At class the other night, we were each asked to draw a card from a deck. Each card contained an affirmation of some kind. Mine read something like this:

Many say, “As soon as I get this, then I will be joyful.” But you must be joyful first. Through the corridor of your joy is the pathway to your desires.

Thanks to Nathan, I can accept that mastering yoga at any level is a long, hard-won process. Thanks to the practice of yoga itself, I can better find joy at every step, in where and who I am right now.

I can say it with confidence: I’m a yogini — a female on the path to enlightenment!

Enjoy this month's stories and consider sending us your own soon . . .

Arresting August Stories

Family

Feature Story: Pioneers, by Jane Norde
Paw Prints: "Puppy", by Karolyne Smith Rogers, PhD
Acorns: Life is Wonderful, by Ramona Sallee

Friendship

Feature Story: Not Just Clowning Around, by Jami McFerren
Sole Mates: Face, by Suzanne Richards
Dear Friend: Because You Stand for Humanity, by George Roundy

Career

Feature Story: Seeds, by Rev. Sandra Hopper
Childhood Dreams: The Key to Having What You Want,
by Courtni Dyer

The World

Feature Story: I've Been Inspired, by Tanya Misfeldt
Memorable Journeys: My Rx for Stress,byTiffany Weis
Traditions & Ties: Forged by War and Hellfire, by Ramona Sallee

Journals

Maggie Dee ’s Journal
Lauren’s Journal

Life Happens

Ego Trips: Embarrassing or Merely Amusing?—That Depends on Who’s Watching, by Charlotte R. Brown
Amazing Feets: Fearless,by Karen Vanasse
Freudian Slippers: A Dollar’s Worth of Truth,
by Karolyne Rogers, PhD
Wabi-Sabi: Neither Half-Full nor Half-Empty , by Holland Schrank

Sole Men

Feature Story: The New Vacation Standard, by Les Norde

Editor’s Page

Charlotte ’s Story: A Yogini — That's Me,
by Charlotte Rogers Brown
Charlotte ’s Choice: The Dressing Room Blues, by Karen Vanasse
Helpful Hints
Your Sole Work

Jaunty July Stories - We'd Love to Read Your Comments on This Month's Stories

2006-07-10T06:45:00.001-07:00

For a free subscription to Shoe Woman Magazine and to read this month's stories, click here

Inside This Month's Issue
Family
Feature Story: To the One Who Watches Over
by Janet LaPlante
Paw Prints: The Perfect Dog…Someday, by Rev. Hilary Manley
Acorns: Scene from a Timeless Battle, by Charlotte R. Brown

Friendship
Feature Story: Oars and Anchors, by Eve Alton
Sole Mates: What I Want, by Judy Schwiebert
Dear Friend: The Gift, by Don Beams

Career
Feature Story:I Sold My Rolex Today, by Courtni Dyer
Childhood Dreams:The Key to Having What You Want,
by Karolyne Smith Rogers, PhD
The World
Feature Story: In Search of What He Needs, by Annie O'Gorman
Memorable Journeys: Sitting at the Edge of the World,
by Laurel Passantino
Traditions & Ties: Forged by War and Hellfire, by Ramona Sallee
Journals
Maggie Dee ’s Journal
Lauren’s Journal

Life Happens
Ego Trips: A Skinned Shin and Yellow Fee, by Jami McFerren
Amazing Feets: Journey Back to the Self, by Rev. Hilary Manley
Odd Coincidences: Stupid Ways to Die, by anonymous
Wabi-Sabi: The Woman in the Mirror, by Holland Schrank

Sole Men
Feature Story: Daddy's Girl, by Michael Schrader

Editor’s Page
Charlotte ’s Story: One Goal, Many Steps,
by Charlotte Rogers Brown
Charlotte ’s Choice: Vision Quest, by Jane Norde
Helpful Hints
Your Sole Work, this month's writing project

Comment on Stories in the June Issue of Shoe Woman Magazine

2006-06-03T08:37:00.000-07:00

Jazzy June Stories

Editor’s Page

Charlotte ’s Story: Evolution of a Shoe Woman,
by Charlotte Rogers Brown
Charlotte ’s Choice: One Thing Is For Sure, Mother:
I Will Never Be an Alcoholic…, by Rev. Hilary Manley
Helpful Hints for Writers
Your Sole Work - an Exercise for Writers

Family
Feature Story: A Preacher’s Kid on a Saturday Night,
by Holland Schrank
Paw Prints: Mosey, by Les Norde
Acorns: Youth Yoga…YIKES!, by Tiffany Weis

Friendship
Feature Story: Feature Story: Chicks Coming Home to Roost,
by Jami McFerren
Sole Mates: My Daughter's True Love, by Kay Ragsdale
Dear Friend: The Mystifying Mrs. Glasser, by Ramona Sallee

Career
Feature Story: Called to the Ministry – In My Fifties!,
by Rev. Sandra Hopper
Childhood Dreams: To Go Again, by Don Beams

The World
Feature Story: Prisons, Penguins & the Sunset Social Club,
by Tanya Misfeldt
Memorable Journeys: Epiphany on an Airport Shuttle,
by Pauline Sandell
Traditions & Ties: Divine Denim, by Holland Schrank

Journals
Maggie Dee ’s Journal
Lauren’s Journal
Kaci’s Journal

Life Happens
Ego Trips: "Them", by Karolyne Smith Rogers, PhD
Amazing Feets: She Remains Strong, by Judy Schwiebert
Odd Coincidences: Living Here Can Be a Real Blast,
by Jami McFerren
Wabi-Sabi: Anticipation, by JoAnn Schloe

Sole Men
Feature Story: My First Loss, by Charlie Brown

Welcome to the Shoe Woman Magazine Blog

2006-04-17T12:31:00.000-07:00

Our mission is to connect people worldwide through the sharing of life experiences. We desire to give you an opportunity to express what it is like to be you, what it is like to walk awhile in your shoes, and in so doing, to help bring about acceptance, tolerance and understanding among all souls.

If someone else’s story in Shoe Woman Magazine has touched you in some way, here is the place to let them know. Or if you have questions or concerns about the process of writing and sharing your own stories, here is the place to ask them. Along with your stories, we invite your thoughts on the subject of expressing and exchanging personal experience. Sharing the stories of your life is a courageous, selfless act of giving.

Everyone has a story. Tell yours!