For a few birthdays and graduations that have come and gone, I have been working on a few gifts of painted shoes. I think there is nothing more beautiful than creating a gift for another person. And if you can capture the expression of that person through a quote or an image. Well-that gift becomes more than a gift but a token of appreciation, an acknowledgement of the person they are and how they contribute to society. 

I asked my husband's cousin who did just graduate to contemplate her favorite quote. Thought I have yet to start the shoes, I have spent my fair share of time thinking about her unique quote which (though a lover of good quotes) I have never heard before: "In solitude, be a multitude to thyself."-Tibullus. I have to admit, though I always enjoyed deep philosophical thoughts, I found this one to require much more contemplation than other quotes I generally find and keep. 

What I came to realize however is this idea that solitude does not mean lonliness rather aloneness. And sometimes aloness with our thoughts allows us to create a multitude of beauty and whimsy, ideas and realization but most importantly a willingness to love who we are. Many of us walk around not loving ourselves, critiquing ourselves, remaining unhappy with ourselves. This quote calls us to pay attention to our solitude and realize that paying attention to who we are starts first before we can be a multitude onto others. 

I'm still a bit unsure as to what image I wish to paint on the surface of these souls. However, I think that a dandelion losing its wishes to the wind and gaining a multitude of new thoughts is the image I wish to portray. Even a pair of new shoes can hold a new vision of whimsy creating soleful steps trodden with intention.