Express Way
"Giving Kids a Foot Up in This World"
What if your main accomplishment in life had to do with feet?
Dirty, smelly old feet.
Feet that smelled like kyarn.
No, that doesn’t sound right. Let me start over …
How would you like to be remembered in life as the person … no, scratch that!
Ok, give me one more shot …
Do you know the "sole" inventor who influences every step you take?
That's much better.
His name was Charles F. Brannock.
The year was 1925.
He invented The Brannock Device, a metal gauge that ensures accuracy in measuring shoe size.
It was a game changer for the shoe industry.
The device is a rectangular slab of metal with big ears.
It has markings to indicate shoe size.
The Brannock Device offers a better shoe fit which can prevent foot problems.
If you were born after 2000 you probably missed out on the rewarding experience of a shoe salesman planting your feet on this aesthetically bankrupt looking slab of metal and then carefully maneuvering your heels to the right space before announcing your shoe size.
But I grew up in the 60’s and 70’s.
It was an awesome time for children.
And I remember very well The Brannock Device.
However, I didn’t know its name or the name of its inventor until writing this post.
But I can replay in my mind my parents taking me to the local Buster Brown store to begin the process of resoling my feet.
The salesman’s declaration of my shoe size was music to my ears because it meant I’d broke my old growth record set 6 months earlier.
It also guaranteed that I’d be getting brand spanking new shoes.
But I’ve said all this to introduce a more powerful point.
Something that you and I need to share with the world.
While Mr. Brannock understood the need for children to start out WITH the right footing, YOU and I must do our part in seeing that all kids begin their journey in life ON the right foot.
Our kids are our most valuable asset.
Kids are more important than a massive bank account, or a monstrosity-sized house, or an unbelievably successful career, or any other thing.
Give them the correct “footing” so that they can leave lasting footprints on society.
Our world needs changes.
Instead of ABORTION, choose ADOPTION. Give a child the opportunity to make his mark.
Speak out against neglecting and abusing children. Instead, treat kids as gifts from heaven.
Feed them, cloth them, educate them, love them.
And don’t forget … give them good footprints to follow.
Let’s step up as parents, authors, teachers, preachers, counselors, politicians, postal workers, custodians, truck drivers, mechanics, librarians, Wal-Mart greeters, or whatever role you play, and give our kids the proper footing to go forward in this world.
Mr. Charles F. Brannock, I tip my hat to you!
-Howell
One more word ... Any topic that you'd like for me to write on? Send me your suggestions at howellbigham@theencouragementexpress.com
About The Encouragement Express
Thanks for visiting The Encouragement Express!
I'm Howell Bigham, and I'm the writer behind all the posts.
Are you looking for powerful principles to guide you in building strong relationships, enviable work habits, and unbelievable personal growth? Then you're at the right site!
In The Encouragement Express you'll discover awesome lessons hidden in objects that you use daily. You'll meet fascinating people from the past who invented these often overlooked creations.
You'll also get a spiritual Vitamin E(ncouragement) for personal growth, motivational quotes from mouths of the past, a word for the week, and motivational music!
If you want positive, life-building stories to kick-start your day, you'll love The Encouragement Express!
Vitamin E(ncouragement)
Here's your weekly spiritual vitamin!
"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
The fruit of the womb is a reward."
-Psalm 127:3
Motivating Mouths
"You can't leave footprints in the sands of time while sitting down."
-Nelson Rockefeller
Word of the Week
Indentation - "a hole or mark on the surface of something."
-Cambridge Dictionary
Motivational Music
Listen to my AI song on "Footprints in my Buster Browns"
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