A hug is like a bandage to a hurting wound. ~Author Unknown
Embrace. Clasp. Envelope. Squeeze. Cuddle. Enfold. Sarılmak. αγκαλιάζω. обнимать. Umarmen. Kumkumbatia.
Hugs are amazing and very under-rated. I actually enjoy them. This may surprise some people. Don't get me wrong...I will never be one of those people that goes around hugging everyone they have ever met. I know one of those, and I love her for it, but it's just not me. I have been working this past week on trying not to over-think, as several of my friends (and I) claim I do much too often. Hugging tends to keep me reconnected with the present world, and I try to be more intentional about initiating hugs. I have trouble with this--partially because touch is still a sensitive (no pun intended) issue for me, and partially because I still have a fear of being a burden on people and unwanted by them, so I hold back. I do not reject hugs when they are offered, but I feel awkward about how long, which style, i.e. side, a-frame, etc., or intensity. Irrefutably, though, giving and receiving a hug with a close friend is so healing. It conveys multiple messages of love and caring without having to use an verbal language. If I had my "druthers," it would last however long it needs to with no pressure to end or awkward, uncomfortable tension.
I am definitely not what you would call a clingy person, but I do like the feel of another body next to me. It is one of the reasons I enjoy the animals. Provided I am somewhat familiar with the animal, they will let me hug and love on them to my heart's content. (I would NOT recommend doing this in any situation where you unsure of the animal's reaction.) Studies have proven that petting animals will lower blood pressure, cholesterol, cortisol and raise serotonin, allergy resistance, and immunity capabilities. Basil does not have to be near me constantly, although he will follow me as I move around the house; yet, somehow, he knows when I need him to be there, and he will put his head in my lap and insist that I pet him. Laika is more like velcro and will be a cuddle buddy, and she insists on being on the couch in constant contact with me while I am watching a movie or typing my blog. Yep, she's there even now. We don't have quite the same bond as I have with Basil, but she cares in her own way, and she lets me use her as a pillow. :)
I looked into Strong's Concordance to see what, if anything, the Bible had to say about hugs or embracing in general. Although the word hug does not appear specifically in the Bible, the parable of the prodigal son is perhaps the easiest example that comes to mind. The father embraces the prodigal son as a result of the compassion that wells up in him. "But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him." (Luke 15:20) So, it seems that in any circumstance where there is real, genuine love, hugs are a natural result.
In the icon of the Theotokos above the altar that we call Πλατυτέρα(and in many of her icons), she always has her hands outstretched as a mother waiting for her children to run into her arms for comfort and solace. It is a wonderful thought that I have a place to run to that is always open and where I can relax with no time restraints or expectations.
If you want to give me a hug, I accept! I probably just won't offer you one. :)
Free Hugs
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I Need a Hug - Iain MacKintosh
Doctor Dan, he's a friendly man, big and round like a bear
He hugs his friends, they hug him - any time, anywhere
Now the patients came for therapy to drive their blues away
I wanna hug, it's a wonderful feeling.
Wanna hug, it helps with (it's part of) the healing
Wanna hug, because hugging feels
Like a natural thing to do
I am definitely not what you would call a clingy person, but I do like the feel of another body next to me. It is one of the reasons I enjoy the animals. Provided I am somewhat familiar with the animal, they will let me hug and love on them to my heart's content. (I would NOT recommend doing this in any situation where you unsure of the animal's reaction.) Studies have proven that petting animals will lower blood pressure, cholesterol, cortisol and raise serotonin, allergy resistance, and immunity capabilities. Basil does not have to be near me constantly, although he will follow me as I move around the house; yet, somehow, he knows when I need him to be there, and he will put his head in my lap and insist that I pet him. Laika is more like velcro and will be a cuddle buddy, and she insists on being on the couch in constant contact with me while I am watching a movie or typing my blog. Yep, she's there even now. We don't have quite the same bond as I have with Basil, but she cares in her own way, and she lets me use her as a pillow. :)
I looked into Strong's Concordance to see what, if anything, the Bible had to say about hugs or embracing in general. Although the word hug does not appear specifically in the Bible, the parable of the prodigal son is perhaps the easiest example that comes to mind. The father embraces the prodigal son as a result of the compassion that wells up in him. "But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him." (Luke 15:20) So, it seems that in any circumstance where there is real, genuine love, hugs are a natural result.
In the icon of the Theotokos above the altar that we call Πλατυτέρα(and in many of her icons), she always has her hands outstretched as a mother waiting for her children to run into her arms for comfort and solace. It is a wonderful thought that I have a place to run to that is always open and where I can relax with no time restraints or expectations.
If you want to give me a hug, I accept! I probably just won't offer you one. :)
Free Hugs
________________________________________________________________________
I Need a Hug - Iain MacKintosh
He hugs his friends, they hug him - any time, anywhere
Now the patients came for therapy to drive their blues away
And sooner or later they would feel better when they heard Dan say:
Chorus:
I wanna hug when you say hello.
I wanna hug when it's time to go.
I wanna hug because everyone knows
Hugging is good for you
I wanna hug when it's time to go.
I wanna hug because everyone knows
Hugging is good for you
I wanna hug, it's a wonderful feeling.
Wanna hug, it helps with (it's part of) the healing
Wanna hug, because hugging feels
Like a natural thing to do
When the boss of the hospital heard about this he was most annoyed.
He said, "Hugging is sexual sublimation - according to Doctor Freud.
You can hide them, you can keep them down, you can calm them with your drugs,
You can slap them, zap them with electric shocks, but you can't give them a hug."
You can hide them, you can keep them down, you can calm them with your drugs,
You can slap them, zap them with electric shocks, but you can't give them a hug."
Chorus
He said, "Now Dan you'll have to go, this behaviour is no good.
Any deviation from the medical practice could easily get us sued.
Now, Dan doesn't feel too bad for himself; in fact, he's kind of proud,
But he's sorry for the folks who are locked away where hugging's not allowed.
Any deviation from the medical practice could easily get us sued.
Now, Dan doesn't feel too bad for himself; in fact, he's kind of proud,
But he's sorry for the folks who are locked away where hugging's not allowed.
Chorus
(as sung by Iain MacKintosh)
OK, well, I was going to give you a hug today, but I don't want to hug you just because of today's blog post......so I will have to surprise you one day with a hug when you least expect it....until then....here's a virtual hug! :^)
ReplyDeleteAh, but if you are "anonymous," how will I know?? ;)
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