The Feet Metaphor

In my teens my dance tutor once said...

You have toes to rise up on with balance & poise allowing you to reach higher

The balls of your feet allow you to pivot in any direction you choose

The arches of the feet create a bridge from where you are to where you want to be

The heels of your feet keep you grounded

Chronic Pain 

I’ve had excruciating pain in my feet & my hands & I really thought I’d beaten chronic pain.

I had.

But I hadn’t changed my words. 

I’d been using phrases like “why am I incapable of standing on my own two feet”.

I even said to my son “I’m walking on eggshells round everyone” my son replied “have you heard what you’re saying Mum”

BAM!

Because I’ve been struggling to walk my balance has been all over the place & I got incredibly angry with myself, it took my wise 20 yr old to point out the obvious.

For some unknown reason what my dance tutor said to me all those years ago came to mind & it REALLY hit home.

I’m now walking properly completely pain free. I cried. They were tears of joy, bliss & gratitude.

Do you really notice your feet?

We take them for granted and if we have them we should be incredibly grateful for them.

There are those in the world who do not have them. There are those in the world who cannot feel any sensation for whatever reason.

So how do you notice your feet other than when they ache after you’ve been on them all day?

Here’s a challenge for you...

Barefoot - really feel your feet & really notice how it feels when you walk, close your eyes as you stand still & really notice what you feel.

Do this outside (check what is underneath your feet, especially in long grass standing on a bug or something sharp isn’t pleasant)

Really connect with your feet. Really take note of what you feel. If you’re standing on sand is it wet, dry, fine, course. Really feel. Then write down what you felt.

Do the same thing but with socks on your feet. What sensations do you feel now? Do your feet suddenly feel restricted? Do they feel warm and comfortable? Really notice. Write down what you felt and noticed.

Do the same thing again with shoes or trainers on, something you would normally wear on your feet. NOW what do you notice? Do you feel supported? Constrained? Again write down what you felt and noticed.

Then take a moment to be grateful for all your feet do for you.

I printed out my dance tutor's words & hung it where I can see it because it finally hit me & what a metaphor to hit me.

My dance tutor wasn’t as wacky as I thought she was after all!