Barefoot Goddess Blog, day 78, 9/25/10
Dear Readers, it’s been a little while since I’ve written. A few of you have asked where the posts are. In answer, I have a full plate with Green Lake Spiritual Center and my book. It would go a long way if I got some encouragement from you. Please comment if you like the posts.
Notes and thoughts from the barefoot road
On my way to Whole Foods. It’s a little cold under my feet and I’m contemplating, would I take the bus if it were to pass? Yes. I didn’t say I’d walk everywhere. There is something about this practice that invites becoming more radical. I want to avoid that. On my way out of the house, I was wearing shoes (i’d been working around the recycling bin). The Greek contractor, who is working on the house next door saw and only said “You broke it.” He said it so sadly even though, only the day before he had made fun of me for going barefoot. I resolve not to take everything so seriously!
Shoes off at the edge of the sidewalk.
Here’s the skinny. I agreed with myself from the beginning that I could walk around the house in shoes, that the only time I was “require”d to go barefoot was when I went out into the world. I did this because I wanted to be able to nurture my feet and give them treats (especially in form of my soft slippers) from time to time. I also agreed that I would wear some kind of footwear if an establishment required it (this is not about rebellion). So far, I’ve not had to do that (this sometime involves begging ;)
Observation: When my goals are reduced to navigating the various surfaces with as little, or no pain as possible, life becomes very simple.
Today I saw a fellow barefoot traveler. We said yaaaaay to eachother.
There are oasises of smooth surfaces (see comparison pic below ;) . All the newer developments put in new sections of sidewalk. And these sections are made of much smoother material.
Walking on cold feet is painful. Moisture makes particles stick and poke into my soles. (Shoes in backpack. In case I can’t take it.)
Feet get warm as I heat up.
Stepped into a soft pile of poop. The grass works so well for wiping and cleaning, it’s awesome. Not all that gross.
So lost in thought, passed up 52nd and went down most of 51st before noticing what I’d done.
Haiku
Grass strips, soft and treacherous
Concrete, plain and hard ;)
The buss passed while I was in between stops.