As the rain came down that day, I decided the best way to walk from town to home was bare footed and through the puddles.

Now this may not be everybody’s choice and I know there were people who looked at me as if I were a little bit crazy. (And maybe that’s a good thing!)

It was raining and I was already wet and wearing flip flops, which I know for me, are not that helpful when the heavens open.

I remember when I first travelled to and worked on Koh Chang, Thailand. I had taken up a role as an Addictions Therapist under the watchful gaze of clinical director Jocelyn Mercado – a progressive and interesting leader. I learnt so much from her in the short time I was there. It was such early days – moving into the field of rehab and addiction therapy. One of the things which I hadn’t planned on learning was the importance of stout and solid sandals. Yet on the day I boarded the glistening and ancient ferry to take me over to the island, its floor shiny whilst being pelted by warm drops from the sky during a tropical storm, it became a slippery menace with sharp edges to cut myself on and steep,  steps to fall down. I bought a classic pair of sandals from the UK to support me after that and decided never again would I think I could wear the same footwear as a local and manage to keep upright and not keel over when abroad.

But on this day – knowing the route home. I decided to trip bare foot, like I used to do when I was a little girl.

Sometimes you just need not care what other people think. Simply take the step out. Ignore other people’s faces and do what you need to.

As I stood firmly on the earth  – or the concrete path to be precise, I felt its hard, ungiving warmth, nestle its way into my feet and as I stepped into the puddles, felt joy in my heart as I absorbed the most exquisite moments of physical freedom I could create.

Connecting with nature and staying grounded can be done in a variety of ways and going bare footed is one of the easiest. Sometimes pleasanter when on grass but I found that because it didn’t feel comfortable, that this was the very feeling which kept me grounded and enabled me to connect strongly with the body immediately. Just what I needed!

Be strong then, and enter into your own body;
there you have a solid place for your feet.
Think about it carefully!
Don’t go off somewhere else!
Kabir says this: just throw away all thoughts of
imaginary things,
and stand firm in that which you are.
-Kabir