The world in which we live is a curious place. We are
constantly surrounded by varying sights, sounds, textures, smells, and sensory
stimuli. Every inch of the earth has some small variation that makes it
uniquely distinct in its own special way.
More often than not we disregarded the world around us, forgetting the
subtleties that comprise our overall perception of reality.
I personally am a very kinesthetic, tactile person. I have
to use my hands and body to learn and understand the world around me. I have to
touch the coarse velvet of a leaf with its subtle drops of dew to understand
the way the northwest likes to start its mornings. I have to wade in the river
and feel the cool, wet stones and racing current of the stream to realize the
journey this water is on and the environment is has created to be conducive to
life. I have to gain my insight on life through my senses in order to stay
connected with the world. If I were merely to sit and perceive life with no
further exploration, I would become numb to the world. I thrive on the changes
of textures, tones, and sensations. The dance of the leaves over my hand in the
wind or the sharp pricks of cruel gusts that slap themselves across my face
each imprint a unique code on my body. Each sensation resonates differently
throughout me, but these sensations would be lost without my continual need to
go out and experience them first hand.
That is what has brought me to the barefoot project. For the
last month or so I decided that everywhere I go and in anything I do, I should
experience those moments through my feet, barefoot. Feet are our simplest, most
primal connection to the Earth. They are the first thing we extend out to the
world and they are our constant connection to Mother Earth, the link to the
rest of our corporeal body. When you stand, when you walk, when you make your way
throughout the course of the day, your feet are that constant grounding factor
that binds you and holds you to the Earth.
I believe that being barefoot is the most raw, pure form of a psychical connection
between the earth and our bodies. Our feet are our first indicator to what the terrain
around us is like, and gives us insight into what kind of environment we’re
experiencing. In some cases warring shoes cuts off that first, precious
connection between our bodies and our Earth. Therefore I decided to give being
barefoot a good long go, and overall have been very pleased with the
experience.
Being barefoot in an unfamiliar environment is one thing, but
walking around town to places you’ve visited a hundred times is a very
different experience. It’s humbling to stand in a place you’ve only perceived
through your eyes, and then re-walk the area, understanding it in a new light
through your feet. The tough stones and blistering cement lend a different mood
then could have other wise been experienced with shoes.
Hiking is now one of my favorite barefoot activities. My
friend Cody and I hiked Green Mountain a few weeks ago and decided to go off
trail for a while. Taking our shoes off
we spent well over an hour crawling and climbing our way through dense forest,
moss covered boulders, and prickling cold streams. To experience the texture
and physical changes of the environment beneath our feet was incredible. From
rough, coarse wood to soft, bouncy moss. Over crushed bumpy leaves and slick
jagged rocks. Feeling the sting of ice-cold water swirl around your toes, to
the small tickle of critters running along your feet gave such a serine spot
and even more magical appearance.
Being barefoot has helped me understand the world in an
entirely different light. It has forged a primal connection between land, body,
and brain, giving me sensory knowledge and expanding my schema on the world in
which I reside. Sometimes the feelings are pleasant and sometimes they’re anything
but. I’ll never forget the night I was walking around and stepped on a big,
sticky slug. The feeling of mush and squish between my toes was anything but
pleasant. That being said however, I wouldn’t trade that experience. It’s
amazing to see how much I’ve connected to environments in a way I didn’t even
realize I could.
My challenge to you is to take some time, pull those shoes
off for a while, and just see what lies beneath your feet. I’m not saying sizzle
your feet on hot pavement or walk on a bed of coals, I’m just saying next time
you go to the park or are walking around the yard try to kick those shoes off
for a while. You might just be surprised at the unusual sensations you’ll
discover.
