I work everyday in an enviornment that calls for "professional dress". There are certain rules that are followed, but I continue to marvel at the footwear that people who are "dressed professionally" wear. Men walk around all day wearing shoes that look hard, sometimes with a toe that is pretty pointed, and you can tell that they aren't comfortable on their feet by how they walk. I have, over the past few years, been very observant of people's gaits, and it has become fairly easy to spot someone who is hurting or uncomfortable. The men's shoes are bad enough, but the women's shoes is such environment are RIDICULOUS! Not only do many wear stiff leather or other material, but they come to a virtual needle point, and it is really common to see 2,3,4 or more spike heels, with a 1 or 2" thick sole, and the feet pointing to the ground in a 45 or more degree angle. They mince along, and many have apparently been doing it for so long that they don't realize how badly these things have affected their way of walking.
I read or heard something on 9/11 that reminded people to pick their footwear carefully, as those who wore such impractical shoes on that day had no choice but to take them off as they negotiated hundreds of flights of stairs through debris that included broken glass. Particularly for those who don't go barefoot on a regular basis, the feet aren't up to such a challenge, and you won't make it down many stairs quickly in 4" spike heels.
The point is that feet were designed to provide you with mobility. When you encase them in coverings that force them into unnatural configurations, you are going to eventually damage them, and in the mean time, render yourself practically immobile in the event of an urgent need to move. Although we live in a pretty comfortable and safe environment for the most part, it is imperative that you leave yourself options. It sounds a bit over dramatic, I know, but you should basically dress for combat in the morning. Most days, it will never be an issue, but in the event of some horrendous event like those on the morning of 9/11, you, by wearing "fashionable" clothing/footwear, put not only yourself at risk, but those who may need to come to your aid.
This carries over to your physical abilities, and I'll address that in another post, but we really need to get back to putting ourselves into a physical state something near nature intended. OK, you don't want to, or can't go barefoot in every environment. I understand that. You can, however, find shoes that fit, are of a material that is flexible enough to allow your foot to move naturally, and have no, or at least a much lower heel. Let your feet be feet.
I read or heard something on 9/11 that reminded people to pick their footwear carefully, as those who wore such impractical shoes on that day had no choice but to take them off as they negotiated hundreds of flights of stairs through debris that included broken glass. Particularly for those who don't go barefoot on a regular basis, the feet aren't up to such a challenge, and you won't make it down many stairs quickly in 4" spike heels.
The point is that feet were designed to provide you with mobility. When you encase them in coverings that force them into unnatural configurations, you are going to eventually damage them, and in the mean time, render yourself practically immobile in the event of an urgent need to move. Although we live in a pretty comfortable and safe environment for the most part, it is imperative that you leave yourself options. It sounds a bit over dramatic, I know, but you should basically dress for combat in the morning. Most days, it will never be an issue, but in the event of some horrendous event like those on the morning of 9/11, you, by wearing "fashionable" clothing/footwear, put not only yourself at risk, but those who may need to come to your aid.
This carries over to your physical abilities, and I'll address that in another post, but we really need to get back to putting ourselves into a physical state something near nature intended. OK, you don't want to, or can't go barefoot in every environment. I understand that. You can, however, find shoes that fit, are of a material that is flexible enough to allow your foot to move naturally, and have no, or at least a much lower heel. Let your feet be feet.
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