BellaOnline Forums Beauty and Self Journals Hug a friend....

From This week's journaling prompts - "April 26th is Hug a Friend Day and I wonder when the last time is that you gave your friend a hug. Sometimes in our society today, we give very little physical affection to eachother. When is the last time you even just called your friend, or wrote a hand-written letter, to say hello and touch base?"

Angela <><

Great post! I've just returned from a lecture at our local lighthouse. Loads of air kissing, of course, but the people with whom I have a relationship were very affectionate, as am I. I think if we are huggers, back patters, and kissers, we get the same in return. This was an interesting afternoon. I was very aware of who was open and who was closed. I think many people are afraid of rejection. I know I would not like to interfere with someone else's "space" if it wasn't welcome. I would feel quite a fool and be extremely embarrassed, though I am quite outgoing. I don't know if I could even stay there after such a thing. Yes, people don't want to invade others' space and fear rejection. But still, there are many wonderful people who admire each other and enjoy each others' company, and they seem to share their affection unstintingly.

If you can't hug another person, go hug a tree until you get the hang of it.<G>

I had a friend over on Thursday that I hugged, and one on Friday that I hugged! I agree it is so important to have that kind of physical contact, to say to someone "I appreciate you"

If someone isn't into physical hugging (they might have something like arthritis or fibromyalgia that would make a hug painful, or even issues from the past), there are many other ways to show caring. Just an offer of help or an encouraging word to someone who has a problem. How often do we tell someone &quot;I'm SO glad to have you in my life&quot;?

There is nothing wrong with physical touching, I don't mind it and in fact I like it, but some do not.

Just a touch of the shoulder or pat on the hand seems good.

I did not like my old boss used to touch your hair-this I did not like! It felt overtly personal (though I know that she meant nothing by it)!

Mary Caliendo
Tea Editro

When we have a family gathering, often with many family friends there also, we spend so much time hugging in greeting and farewells that we rarely get a chance to just sit down and chat.

For those who cannot be hugged due to arthritis or other problems, we give "air" hugs by just holding out our arms and saying, I love you.

I do not care for hugs from people I do not know well, for I do not want to pick up any negative vibes (or anything else adverse).

[quote=Phyllis, NA and Folk]I do not care for hugs from people I do not know well, for I do not want to pick up any negative vibes (or anything else adverse). [/quote] ************************************************* I agree! I also don't care for the idea of hugs becoming &quot;overdone&quot; and running the risk of losing their meaning!

There is a point where hugs are so automatic and overdone that the sincerety is lost.

I agree, Phyllis. And hugs are so special, so powerful, that I simply can't stand the idea of them losing their impact, if that makes any sense.

I do love my "husband hug" it's the best!

Mary Caliendo
Tea Editor