Stand up if you love hugs! 

I absolutely love hugging, love massages, love cuddling, love physical contact because it feels so good.  What we've seen in our recent history is a movement away from physical touching because we bought into a fear-based realm of the judgment we put on the word "touch."

You know, my father was a massage therapist in the 1950's and 60's, and so I was introduced to physical touch in a very profound way getting regular massages from my dad.  Then he died suddenly when I was 14 and my whole world changed.  Not only did I lose someone who I strongly connected with, but I also lost the physical touch connection that opened up my heart in so many ways.

And I also returned to the value of physical touch that I learned from my father when my daughter was born prematurely.  Remembering the ancient art, I quickly used finger tip stroking and massage to help my daughter gain weight, and it did the trick.  With this said, there have been many reports on the value of physical touch for preemies. 

We are now witnessing a return to hugs, return to ourselves, where people are standing up and giving hugs.  Recently, I read an article in a publication for massage practitioners and energy practitioners.  In this article was the value put on physical touch, and the author said her husband, who is a minister, routinely hugs the members of his church.  This minster made a decision that he wasn't going to listen to any negative input about hugging, and thus, gives new, positive output on physical touch. 

As you can see, hugging is really the contact sport of choice.  A simple hug can have waves of positive flows going out into the world.  We require physical touch for the sustainability of our planet, and I strongly encourage giving someone a hug today!