Food for thought: What do you suppose would happen if everyone across the country would go publicly au naturale for just one day? I mean, what do you think would be the result if every man, woman, and child were to go naked for 24 hours–in the name of sociological experimentation? Declare a ”National Naked Day?”
Well, they might feel the warming rays of the sun caressing parts of their tired and aching bodies they’d never felt before; might feel the gentle breeze whispering softly through their hidden nooks and crannies, eliciting sweet sensations more pleasant than any they’d imagined possible. They might notice that most bodies are pretty much the same–give or take a few pounds and wrinkles–and that imperfections are the norm. They might discover that color, size, and shape are pretty much all that distinguish one rear-end from another; one pair of breasts from another–and that your neighbor’s aren’t nearly as perfect as they appear sans the latest uplifting and bulge-controlling fashion; and certainly nothing to be envious of. And by the end of the day, they might just be wondering how the whole wearing-clothes-when-I-don’t-need-to thing got started.
If everyone went naked for a day, they might discover that without the need to match belt and tie, blouse and shoes, life becomes a whole lot simpler, less stressful, and far less expensive. They might look ahead and realize they’ve been paying way too much attention on what goes on the outside of their bodies, and far too little on what goes in the inside. They might discover a new sense of self-worth; a new self-confident face looking back in the mirror when they realize that their naked body is something to be cherished–and is in fact beautiful in its own, unique way. And if everyone went naked for a day, they might just experience a sense of freedom they never knew, a sense of individuality they never imagined, and a sense of inner peace they thought unattainable in this lifetime. They might realize that this is indeed the “first day of the rest of their lives” and that our national obsession with clothing often serves to obscure that important, life-affirming reality.
If everyone went naked for a day, they might find themselves caring more about what’s going on in a person’s head, than what’s gong on under their clothes. They might realize that sags and lines and hair in new places are badges of honor for having survived the years that should be cherished–not signs of imperfection to be erased with liposuction, surgery, and implants–that are primarily for the benefit of others. They might find themselves no longer judging others by what they wear, but rather the character of their inner being. And perhaps most importantly, they might discover that the sky didn’t fall, the earth didn’t open and swallow them, and a thunderclap didn’t render them embarrassing pillars of salt. I would contend that, no, it isn’t the clothes that make the man (or woman)–nor the size of their breasts, shape of their butt, or size of their muscles. It’s what’s inside their heart and soul that should the true measure of us all; qualities that far too often are masked by what we wear. So I ask you, what’s the worst that could happen if we all went naked for just one day?
