#89: Yes, Call Me A Hippie If You Want!

Those were the days when you lived your life following a few basic rules. One of them said when the time was right to walk barefoot.

What a beautiful day! Temperatures hitting 18 degrees celsius, blue sky and bright sunshine.

I immediately knew what I wanted to do. In fact, I had been craving for a barefoot walk on the grass for some time. However, I knew that it was wrong in many ways. That was what my upbringing told me.

The «barefoot rule» said that you were only allowed to walk barefoot during those months that didn’t carry the letter «r» as long as the surrounding mountain tops were clear of snow.

The first part was obvious and wouldn’t change from one year to another. May to August was the official barefoot period. All that was left was the look across the valley onto the mountain tops. No sight of snow was the green light.

When my neighbour’s son saw me walking away without shoes, he gave me that «how did your mum allow you to do that» look. Without having a chance to explain myself to him, his mother immediately referred to climate change having overridden the old rules.

I had a blast.

Full of joy.

Connected to nature.

Grounded.

Researching the pros and cons of barefoot walking, I came across a list that said it all.

What I liked most was the «sensory experience». That is what it is.

You don’t understand it, you feel it.

And you love it or you don’t.

It doesn’t matter.

Just try.