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?
