Put on a pair of mittens and wear them all day long. You can't feel anything can you?

Everything you pick up and touch feels the same, doesn't it? That would be pretty boring, wouldn't you think?

Well, guess what? You're already doing something similar every morning when you put on those shoes and head out the door. Every step feels the same. You miss out on the feel of the cool, wet grass, the driveway, the plush carpet in your house, everything. Your sense of touch is limited to your hands.

Try going barefoot all day for just one day and you will feel what you've been missing. You'll become much more aware of your surroundings and your other senses will be heightened as well.

I already enjoy the pleasure of stuffing the shoes into the back of the closet and leaving them there.

I know the texture of every area of my yard. Where it's the softest, where it's the hardest. I know the texture of my driveway. I can describe the feel of the newly paved footpath that runs behind my house.

Whenever I'm barefoot I feel like an innocent, uninhibited kid, being carefree and natural, ready to experience all the fun life has to offer. Above all, it builds my confidence as I become kinder, gentler, and more tolerant with my fellow human beings.

If you have never gone barefoot outside the house before, I urge you to try it and let yourself into a new world full of freedom and fun.

As I see shod folks go by on the path I can't help but feel for them. They're missing out on one of the most basic pleasures in life.

Shoes entrap your feet. They can't move like they're supposed to.

They get hot and sweaty. That's why feet stink. It's the trapped heat and moisture that spawns the odiferous bacteria. Those of us who don't wear shoes don't have this problem.

We also don't have corns, bunions, athlete's foot, etc. Our soles are tough and can walk on almost anything.

Shoes weaken your feet. They provide support where support isn't needed. They don't allow your feet their normal range of movements.

The tendons and muscles atrophy in shoes, making feet more susceptible to injury. Bare feet are strong, with tough yet still sensitive soles.

I go barefoot because I like to feel where I'm going, not just see where I'm going. I enjoy feeling the ground below me. I feel more in touch with the Earth. I enjoy the freeness I feel without the encumberance of shoes.

Have I piqued your interest? Want to learn even more? Then I highly recommend you check www.barefooters.org, a wonderful compilation by several Dirty Sole Society members explaining how barefooting is healthy, enjoyable, and fun.