Resources – 2010 June

Learning July 7th, 2010

7 Responses to “Resources – 2010 June”

1. Miranda Cruz Says: July 8th, 2010 at 7:36 AM

   I will surely take note of this.

2. Robin Easton Says: July 11th, 2010 at 1:12 PM

   Oh Mike, I am so deeply touched. You know me; I have tears in my eyes…of course! 🙂

   I am SO encouraged to find my name here. It is an honor for me to be included in anything you are doing. And not only an honor but very exciting.

   It’s also exciting to witness your genuine heart-filled nature and commitment to helping others. You do so with a clear heart and mind. I could not possibly be any more proud of you.

   It’s funny that you mention “Too much great outdoors to enjoy and explore lately”, I had to chuckle, because my husband and I went for a hike up a fairly steep, rocky mountain yesterday before sunset. It wasn’t a long hike (maybe 4 miles round trip), but it is steep and in many places straight up, no switchbacks. But as we were climbing one of the steeper places where the trail goes straight up, and is only about two feet wide, with an intense drop off one side of trail, we suddenly heard a sound behind us. It was a mountain biker and he was literally dripping with sweat, just pouring off him onto the trail. Although he had two wheels as opposed to your one, I instantly thought of you riding your unicycle up mountains, and I just started laughing because I realized even more what feat you are doing. It’s remarkable!!!! I told my husband about you and what you do. But it just made me happy thinking of you out there adventuring.

   We watched the sun set at the top and walked down at dusk, listening to a thrush’s haunting call, and the wind through ponderosa pines. It was magical. Made me realize that I too HAVE to be up on the mountain more. So that part of you encourages me SO much, along with all your other positive energy. I am so grateful.

   Bless you my friend.
   Hugs,
   Robin

   PS I forgot to tell you that I did half the hike barefoot and the other half in thin moccasins, and I jogged two of the for miles. I…WAS…IN…HEAVEN!!!! I’ve been hiking barefoot for years

3. Mike King Says: July 11th, 2010 at 6:08 PM

   Wow Robin! Thanks for the comments. Barefoot heh!?? Sounds rather intriguing. I spend every weekend out at our trailer at the lake through the summer and by the end of the summer, I’m running across gravel roads and to the lake and back in barefoot. I always get a chuckle as I see the beefy guys who come out to the beach and start cringing and practically crying as they walk across a few small pebbles in the water or at the beach. Makes me laugh out loud every single time! So, I can totally picture you hiking barefoot, that is quite impressive really! I love being barefoot myself, just never taken it that far on purpose. End of summer, I get some leather soles but after a winter of socks and office work, I’m back to baby feet at the start of every summer… Obviously you have to stay barefoot most of the time for that to be an option.

   Thanks so much for your encouraging words (and I’m happy to mention your work), its a joy to share our experiences with one another. I did about 14km more in the mountains yesterday morning, was windsurfing most of today at the lake and will be back in the mountains tomorrow for another 15km or so on the mountain unicycle. Ahhh, summer…. Such great times!

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5. Robin Easton Says: July 14th, 2010 at 10:49 AM

   Aaah Mike!!! I loved this response!! Fabulous!!! I laughed out loud over the guys walking on pebbles at the beach. Yes, I too have seen this and chuckled. 🙂

   What I do in the winter is get some Dr. Scholl’s, Berkenstocks (<<spelling?)or other sandals that have those ridged little bumps all over the soul of them (that press into the bottom of your feet when you walk). They help keep my feet toughened up for spring. I don't even need socks with them, as just in wearing them my feet are so stimulated that they stay warmer than when I wear socks and sneakers. I also walk out to the mailbox and around the house barefoot, even if there is snow in the drive. LOL!!

   What is interesting is that there are tons of acupressure points on the bottom of our feet (if you get a book on acupressure you will see where they are located). And when humans used to walk barefoot those points were always stimulated (that probably why the creator put so many pressure points on the feet…so that they COULD be stimulated), which in turn stimulates the corresponding organs. Now, that we wear stiff shoes several things happen, many of our organs (most of them) don't get the direct stimulation they need, which can cause all kinds of health problems. Also all the muscles around our toes, feet, and ankles don't get the torquing, stretching, or as much work out as they may need. AND our toes and insteps often don't get to spread out, flatten out the way they need to. So many of us have mangled, squished toes/feet from our feet being crammed into too small a shoe as kids. That can effect everything all the way the spine. It's quite interesting. I've also read that it boost the immune system.

   I've also notice that going barefoot greatly improve my overall balance.

   Anyway, I just love it because of how I FEEL when I do it, SOOO ALIVE! Running barefoot is stupendous. Many athletes are now training barefoot, some coaches are encouraging it because there are less injuries, sprains, etc., and I guess they are able to run faster due to certain types of movement and muscle development.

   Anyway, that's probably more than you wanted to know, but I was just so excited by your response and openness to new experiences. AND I am THIRILLED about your love of nature and sense of adventure. It is very remarkable. Do you know, it IS you, Mike. It's who you ARE.

   Thank you my friend. You are a great inspiration. All good wishes to you and your family. Hugs, Robin

   PS 🙂 🙂 Did you know there are barefoot walking clubs all over the country and they trek miles barefoot. Fascinating to me. It also touches me and impresses me how open you are to the whole idea. I find that totally cool. You really are an adventurer not only in your physical adventures up mountains on your uni-cycle, but you are an adventurer of the spirit. Do you know that it shows in your face. That vitality and sense of adventure has BECOME YOU, and just jumps off every photo of you, whether you are smiling or not. It's just part of you now.

6. Mike King Says: July 14th, 2010 at 9:39 PM

   @Robin – I’m glad you saw and came back to read the comment. Great discussion, we have many things in common from the nature loving aspects. Adventures are definitely a strong trait of mine and anyone who knows me would instantly agree, I value it dearly and live that way in everything I do. Sports is a huge one for me as I have many adventurous sports and interests.

   I love all the details you included about bare-footing it. Some very intriguing points about health and other benefits. I’ve read many of those myself in various sources without any intentional study. It just FEELS right to me so that is where my interests came from. Nothing like running the beach barefoot, I’m not ‘thick’ skinned enough for any serious barefoot running at this point. Maybe by end of summer, who knows…?

7. Bidet Says: July 24th, 2010 at 5:32 AM

   These are great resources and great blog posts. Thanks for sharing them. Ill be sure to check them out.