Posts Tagged ‘business’
National Barefoot Week – is it, really?
June 1-7 has been, once again, declared “National Barefoot Week” by Soles4Souls, a Nashville-based charity that collects new and used shoes to be donated to people in need around the world. The week-long event is a yearly highlight the charity uses to encourage people to get involved in donating any type of footwear to be re-distributed in the US and other places where people might need it.
There’s a Lot of Assuming Going On!
After nearly 20 years of leading a predominantly barefoot lifestyle, I keep being amazed by the amount of common assumptions “shoddies” (people who don’t like going barefoot and prefer to be in shoes most of the time) make about us barefooters. What I find most interesting is that all shoddies seem to make the same assumptions over and over; even the ones that claim “Oh, I used to spend entire summers barefoot as a kid”.
This, sadly, goes to show how misinformed we are as a society and how generalized these misconceptions are – even among health professionals and other “experts” such as sports trainers and traditional footwear designers; as well as individuals in positions of authority like police officers, security guards, establishment managers and corporation executives, just to mention a few. Additionally and unfortunately, here in North America, the association of bare feet with lack of education, destitution, and the hippie sub-culture is still very predominant. Therefore, we barefooters face a series of social challenges on a daily basis which make our desire to lead a “normal” barefoot lifestyle rather frustrating at times.
Every Day Should be Like Yesterday…
Yesterday was one of those “perfect” barefoot days which make you really enjoy and realize it’s a great lifestyle choice.
I’m in “summer mode” so I’m working from home these days (with a lighter workload) and I had my usual summer work attire on: polo shirt and a pair of cargo shorts; barefoot of course.
I needed a haircut and I was eager to see my hair stylist’s new shop he’s opened a few blocks from home; so I decided to walk there at about 11 am. Joe knows me; so it’s no surprise for him to see me show up in bare feet. However, he has new staff in the new place, so I didn’t know what to expect. Upon my arrival, I was greeted by the receptionist with a broad smile and she asked me to take a seat for a moment while Joe finished a phone call – no mention of my bare feet an no odd looks (need I pinch myself?)
New Shirt Collection at Barefoot Planet
I’m proud to announce that I just finished my new shirt design entitled “Free Your Soles”. It’s inspired by the feeling of freedom that one gets when barefooted. I hope everyone likes it! Please check it out at Barefoot Planet.
As usual, I welcome feedback and suggestions for future designs.
Keep ‘em bare!
Barefoot Moe
The Barefoot Planet Store Revival
Hi Barefooters! I’m very excited to announce that, after nearly 2 years in hiatus, I have revived the Barefoot Planet Store with the introduction of 3 new designs for my apparel collection.
These designs, as well as my older collections, are inspired by all barefooters and their share of experiences and interests I have encountered over the years.
Check out my online store at: barefootplanetstore.com
I hope you all enjoy the new designs, as well as the old favourites I have kept in stock. I’m aiming to add even more designs soon. Feedback and ideas are always welcome as well!
Keep ‘em bare, keep ‘em happy!
Barefoot Moe
Toronto, Canada
