There’s something about shining shoes, boots even more so. The leather, worn from long days or nights out, tells stories without speaking. I kneel, cloth in hand, eyes steady, listening to the scuff marks, the creases, the mud caked in the soles. Each shoe, each boot, has walked its path—just like me. But in this moment, I’m not the Marine, the poet, or the CEO. I’m just a man with a cloth and a purpose.
I’ve met people from all walks of life, polished their shoes, and in those moments, I learned more about them than they ever said. Because when you’re down there, at the feet of another, there’s a humility that drowns out ego. It’s not about power or position; it’s about service. Each swipe of the cloth is an unspoken understanding—life’s not about how high you stand, but how low you’re willing to go.
The shine is in the details,
in the small things we often miss.
The reflection in the leather,
isn’t just a piece of you—it’s a piece of me.I don’t mind the work. In fact, I find peace in it. There’s a rhythm to the motion, a connection that goes beyond words. It’s humbling, sure, but not in the way people think. Some see it as lowering oneself, but I see it as rising above. Ego tells you to stay on top, but humbleness tells you there’s strength in getting your hands dirty.
When I polish their boots, I see myself. The scuffs, the wear, the cracks—none of it takes away from their worth. It only adds to the character, like the lines on a face that tell of wisdom gained, battles fought, and life lived. Each pair has its own journey, and for a moment, I’m part of it.
Ego says, "Stand tall."
Humility whispers, "Kneel low."
And in the act of shining,
both truths begin to show.It’s not about making something look perfect; it’s about honoring where it’s been. The shine isn’t in the gloss—it’s in the hands that do the work, in the willingness to serve, to be unseen, knowing that every stroke matters. Just like in life, it’s the small things, the moments of quiet service, where true strength lies.
I’ve polished boots that have seen more than I could ever imagine, and I’ve shined shoes that walked in rooms I’ve only heard about. But in the end, we’re all just people with shoes that need shining, and a little humility goes a long way. Ego fades under the polish, and what’s left is something real—something that endures.
The shine doesn’t last forever,
but the humbleness does.
Because the work isn’t in the shine itself,
but in the willingness to kneel.© Nelly Vee
