I recently found this site, which I quickly found Many people and their commentaries aligning with much of mine, and experiences thereof. ..thank you to Sunny and members.

Now 'why' I have given a Subject line of Therapeutic Growth - because it has been for me.

I won't try to go into great depth regarding the initial details, other than to say that the true 'beginning' triggering situations were not great. My earliest beginnings were a result of some difficult occurrences when I was 11. The growth towards the future positives of finding self, of searching for answers where there were none. As it turned out nudism, as it was referred to back then, was my escape and strength to freedom. Although I did not necessarily realize it as such back then. Going from one extreme in life, inclusive of lack of self worth, to the other other path which gave me strength of 'hell be dammed' attitude/action (excuse the language).

So as I turned 12 I began my journey of One step at a time - searching for and beginning to find freedom of action, of thought, of onward and forward. I rebelled towards the opposite of what was. I was looking for what would bring me peace. And that was nature itself, the wind blowing through the trees, of animals in the woods, of the quiet running of water of a gentle stream/river in summer time.

That turned out to be the sandy bottom of the Arkansas River which was about a half mile from where I lived. The sandy, super clear waters that ranged from 1 foot deep to places not able to touch the bottom - swimming areas. Hunting, fishing, and lying in the shallow, warm waters of the areas that were slowly moving over one's body with the sun bearing down on you while you reflected and bathed in peace. Initially it was with my swimming trunks on, but then again I thought if it felt This is good, what would it feel like Without Anything impeding the flow of essence - complete nudity.

Bravely the trunks came off, having found a spot of semi-hidden area around the bend of the river. Wow! Now This is liv'en, this is not only refreshing but if it feels this good, let me do it every day. ...My beginnings of loving to be nude. As time went along that summer, and the ones to follow, I even talked a couple of friends into joining me. We had some good times, enjoying our freedom and the sun, water, and swimming.

So for the next four years I lived almost every day on the Arkansas, loving the river and loving the freedoms of nudity, nudism at it's youngest. When I wasn't enjoying the sun and body freedom of summer, I was hunting and trapping in the winter (Not in the nude of course), or fishing in the spring and fall. I so loved that river, and what it had given me - what I had 'found' for myself!

When I was 16, circumstances once again sent me back to my dad's, and his new family, in California. But - I now had the Strength and self-worth to make my own decisions, my own choices. So when the opportunity suddenly arose for me to be allowed to 'chose' to participate in 'family' nudism, backyard swimming pool - to not be forced, but to have the opportunity to decide, for myself, as to whether to be part of the new family nudist life style. I chose. A choice of what turned out to be a life long decision for Freedom of thought, life, and overcoming.

Naturalism would become a Part of my future, My family - with their freedom to choose for themselves whether to join me, or not. However I did make the effort to 'pick' partners who likewise like me, had the strength and desire to be open to new things in life. But - my kids/our kids Would have the Total future opportunity to 'decide' for themselves - they were old enough to do so when we got married ..second marriages of each of us. At 11 - I had no choices in life ...but I made Sure I did when I was 12!

Therapeutic? ...ya betha!!

Sub-script of adult nudism and the continue love... It has continue to fulfill that which I found important early on in life, the ability to freely meet and discuss matters of the day, and the matters of importance and opinions of ways of life, of thinking, of differences of opinions and freely experience friendships on every level. And, to be able to do so with friends who may, literally be a CEO of a company, a Doctor, a Teacher, a road worker, a college graduate like myself, or a someone with a GED - ALL Without knowledge Or caring what their position in life was, just that we could look eye to eye and understand what was truly important life - each other, mankind on a different level than we encounter on the street - things, concepts which actually matter in life ...the freedom to be different but yet the same too. THAT is nudism, naturalism at it's greatest!! Thank your listening. I know you will understand and likely agree, although it is fine if you do not necessarily with some of my points. Go forth and enjoy what we share.... Mike