Beneath the Surface

Written by Kimberly Hall

Photo by Brian Yurasits

When people ask me how Sole Inspired was birthed, I tell them this: somewhere between inking my soul on paper and pounding my soles on the pavement, my two loves of paper and running collided. The reason I called the company Sole Inspired wasn’t just because I’m a runner, but because the soles of our feet speak to each of our journeys in life.  We each have a story within us that can never be duplicated. And that’s why Sole Inspired was born—I wanted to make greeting cards to inspire, encourage, and empower others to get up and go, to live a life without regrets, to never back down, to never give up.  

Have you ever wanted to throw in the towel or find a shortcut to meeting your goal? I have felt that way plenty of times! Every day (both in running and in daily life), I’ve told myself, Don’t give up, Kim! You got this! Keep going! I truly believe every trial, tribulation, blessing, and expansion I’ve experienced has shaped who I am, but there have been times that I’ve questioned God and what he was doing in my life.  At these times, I would smile and say I that I trusted the process and the journey. Beneath the surface, however, I was anxious and impatient. 

Developing Sole Inspired cards keeps me focused on staying the course and is a daily reminder to never give up on what I really want.  We all need encouragement for those times when we feel like giving up . . . and as I encourage and inspire others with courage in a card or praise on paper, I’m encouraging myself as well.