A Year of Smiles – Day 6

Reason to SMILE #6: HUGS

I give warm hugs.  This is the message on one of my t-shirts.  Beside this message is a picture of a goofy little snow man that seems to be falling apart.  You know that snow man, right?  He was really popular a few years ago when that one movie was released. Remember that movie? It was the one with princesses, a bad guy pretending to be a hero, a reindeer and an ice delivery man who becomes a reluctant hero.  Ring any bells?  No?  Okay, I’ll Let It Go then.  (Wink. Wink.)

Anyway, I feel a bit strange when I wear this t-shirt because I’m not usually one to offer hugs freely.  It makes me uncomfortable.  I don’t know why.  Don’t get me wrong.  I give hugs.  I hug my family.  I hug my kids at church.  I hug folks I haven’t seen in ages.  I just don’t hug each person I see every time I see them.  People who do that are true “warm huggers”.  They have a gift.

There are times, though, when I need a hug – times when my heart is heavy, when the burdens of life overwhelm, when there’s no answers to my problems and I just need to be held.  During these times, a warm hug is most welcome and does much good.

It’s amazing the power of a hug.  A hug can lift spirits and lighten a load. Hugs can even reduce blood pressure and improve emotional well-being and overall health. It’s true!  I read it on Facebook! (Wink. Wink.) Well, I do know one thing for certain – a hug given at just the right time can make the heaviest of hearts and loneliest of souls SMILE again.

I think I need to start giving more hugs.  How about you?

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