A way of being in the world...
Added 2023-06-09 13:29:33 +0000 UTCI started consistently skinny-dipping about four years ago, during my first year of wildswimming through winter.
It was December, the previous week there was a layer of ice on my lake. Every time a new challenge. That day I had forgotten my swimsuit, and being there on the shore, not getting into the water was not an option. I was determined and looking forward to my cold fix.
So I did, I went in naked. I faced my fear of been too cold. It was bliss. Since then I don it want to use a piece of clothing in the water unless strictly necessary; and I don't even remember last time.
Something changed. I changed. A change of awareness and being in the world. Since that day new ways of inhabiting my skin on the skin of earth arise and flow.
Feelings, inner thoughts, internal chatter with parts of myself who doubt, feel insecure, judged... along with a deep sense of belonging to this world and the right to be naked in nature have been, and are present... A lovely journey in which I'm always learning.
Kindness, respect, gentleness, acceptance, curiosity... to self, others, and Other, and a wish and prayer to be regarded and treat like that, with kindness, respect, gentleness, acceptance, curiosity ππ½
It's not provocation, exhibition... It is my way of being in the world, aquatic at least!
May we all be able to present ourselves in freedom without harming others, without stepping into each others boundaries.
May we all live with the safety of being able to do so.
Then, we will have achieved it; we will be truly at home.
