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Greetings to all! I trust you’re in good spirits. Today, I’m delving into an unusual topic - “Bare Feet”. At first, I thought about skipping it, not writing about it at all. Yet, here I am, attempting to tackle it.

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Do you enjoy walking barefoot? Could you elaborate on your reasons?

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I’m aware that many people relish walking barefoot, particularly on the grass during the early hours, but it’s not my cup of tea. A few years back, I was wandering around my house without shoes when I stepped on a piece of glass. It gave me a pretty deep cut and there was a lot of bleeding. That incident scared me so much that I've never walked barefoot again. Even though I used to enjoy strolling on the grass without shoes, I've stopped doing that since the accident. Now, I always make sure I have my shoes on.

I’m of the opinion that walking barefoot isn’t advisable. Primarily, it can result in injuries and allergic reactions. You never know when you might step on something that can cut your foot. You could get pricked by stones or shards of glass. The dust and dirt outside can stick to your feet and lead to infections. Plus, in today's world, hygiene is super important. With all the nasty stuff outside our homes, it's best to keep shoes on to avoid them. Why would anyone deliberately expose their feet to such discomfort?

In our country, during the hot months of June and July, it's so hot outside that you can't stand on the pavement barefoot for even 30 seconds. It feels like you're walking on coals. And let's not talk about looking for your shoes after Friday prayers – my Pakistani brothers will know exactly how that feels. By the time you get from the mosque courtyard to the shoe area, your feet feel as if they’ve been roasted due to the heat. 😄

I've also heard some people say that walking barefoot gives you a special connection with the earth. However, in my view, connections are forged with the heart and mind, not feet. If you want to create a connection, do it with your thoughts and actions. That'll be more beneficial.

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How crucial do you believe foot care is?

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Caring for our feet is extremely crucial as they bear the burden of our entire body. Our feet are the components of our body that transport us everywhere – be it the market, office, or within the house. Hence, we truly need to look after them well.

If we lead an active lifestyle, our feet play a pivotal role. They’re subjected to stress when we exercise or go for a walk. They’re implicated in every physical task we undertake, from household chores to outdoor activities. That's why our feet need a break too. It's good to wash them with warm water before bed and maybe even give them a massage with some oil now and then.

Besides, keeping the skin of our feet moisturized is essential. It's important to keep our nails clean and trimmed and to wear comfortable shoes that don't hurt our feet. If we ever get an injury or swelling on our feet, we should see a doctor immediately. Treating any rash or allergy is vital because a fungal infection can often occur between the toes and needs to be treated.

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What’s your perspective on the adage, “Avoid walking barefoot to prevent parasites”?

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I think there's some truth to that saying. Sure, I get that walking barefoot might feel great for some people, especially kids. But honestly, it can have some downsides.

People often forget that the ground is full of bacteria and viruses that can be harmful to our health. If we come into direct contact with these things by walking barefoot, we risk infections or diseases. I've heard about people getting fungal infections from walking barefoot, which can cause a lot of pain in the toes. Some get parasites like hookworms, which can seriously mess up their health. That's why doctors always recommend wearing shoes, especially during the rainy season.

Of course, if there's a safe opportunity to walk barefoot, then there's no harm in it. But most of the time, we should wear shoes. Good shoes that cover and protect the whole foot and are comfy too. If you're in a clean place and want to go barefoot for a while, that's fine. Just make sure to wash your feet thoroughly afterward to prevent allergies or infections.

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How would you picture a world without shoes?

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Haha, what a crazy scene it would be if no one had shoes! Everyone would be walking around barefoot as soon as they stepped out of their homes. In shops, malls, everywhere, just bare feet! 😁

Imagine kids going to school without shoes because they have none! It'd be a disaster in winter – you know how they say your feet could freeze off. And office people, how would they manage to get to work without shoes? Everyone in meetings would be sitting there barefoot – how would that go down?

Think about a cricket match; fielders would have a hard time running around the ground barefoot. How would they play football or any such game without shoes?

Yes, it would be nice to relax at home and always walk around barefoot. But stepping outside would bring many difficulties. Therefore, it's better that shoes exist in the world, otherwise everything would turn topsy-turvy!

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I trust that you enjoyed reading my article. 😊

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^{I would like to invite @patjewell, @josevas217, @steemdoctor1, @dove11, @malikusman1, @pelon53, @irawandedy, @chant and @o1eh to join this contest through this link, if they have not already taken part in it.}

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^{Author: @waqarahmadshah | Date: 04-Nov-2023 | Achievement 1}