Editorial on Long-boarding, Livelihood, and a “Naturophysical” State
Long-boarding, Livelihood… and a “Naturophysical” State
Last April (’09) I rid myself of a car to start land long-boarding, and attempt to build my artisan independent-run business within a “naturophysical” state. Responding to a ‘manufactured lifestyle I know as mainstream society, the “naturophysical” state is an attempt of lifespan which I can direct a relationship between raw physical ability, (biodynamic) food, clean water, immediate environment, personal work and interests, successes and progress, and social interaction. The notion being that I can design a livelihood within a manual radius, meaning essentially on foot, and can maintain prosperous without the abundance of external materials and mechanized behavior, which define how to live a ‘typical’ life. It is my thought that if the modern individual molded their life to a “naturophysical” state, then en mass, we would see a shift in the inertia of producing goods, not so goods, and everything in between. So, land long-boarding allows me, albeit rustic, mobility that resonates with much of my internal direction, and turns attention to naturalism and physical form, utilizing balance, coordination, and strength to take part in it, and even more so to be good at it.
In order of moving and working, mostly on foot, my physicality is calibrated, and increased fitness begets relative vitality. I then work harder or go farther on the board, and can reach more people. Though at some point physical capability would be reached, which gives room for another person to work or craft in the next manual area. This allows more people to be encouraged to supply materials the immediate society requires, also spreads activity and engages the community, and its members as they are supplying each other with various needs. In the larger society as our country, I envision many smaller circles of local craft and sustenance, promoting lifestyles developed specific to the natural ebb and flow in biology of said area, especially acknowledging natural maturity, and perishable boundaries of living to harvested food, and its distribution. The “naturophysical” state encourages my lifestyle start around earthen food, organic gardens, clean water and air, agile movement, good sleeping, and balancing perceived needs with what is available in a distance possible on foot.
On the board, more time is needed to get around, but the journeys are with intention for I cannot carry much. In this mode, fewer things are as important, but what is, receives more attention. Moments do occur where a car would be nicer, and some difficulties on the board, and going by foot, elicit thoughts about what drives lifestyle, community, and city development. This strikes me as a topic of many environmental issues, and simply purchasing greening products only seems to perpetuate the market to sell more… greening products? But the system in place is certainly car-friendly, and now I am at a point where business direction is calling for increased (vehicular) mobility, creating a possible dilemma in regards to the principle of the “naturophysical state”.
Long-boarding is certainly effort, going out everyday, but a neat niche in my biz, and now I sort of need it. I like improving my balance and foot-touch, and sensing this physical exertion happened in the day. As with anything of practice too, the more hours spent utilizing fine motor skills, the better these skills become. And, intrinsically important, my physical movement and prowess increase just by living life, for even if it is raining and I have to be somewhere, I can run. My existence has a homeostatic essence that is pleasing as this state is exercised. As my physical self stays strong, I could say I both am driven to keep it going and it is easier to maintain, when my life revolves around the “naturophysical”. Yes, bills and money are tangible, yet physicality is something I care for most, as it is with me no matter what I do. Leading my life with attention to organic ways, and a practiced physical form is most central, and shapes the “naturophysical” state and threshold… and a livelihood that relates more to universal law, than mere economic law.
L. Bailey Jean
Espresso Blōc
www.espressobloc.com