Oh Come On, Hug Me

"Go out into the world today and love the people you meet. Let your presence light new light in the hearts of people."   ~Mother Theresa

I remember reading a book by Dr. Paddi Lund, a dentist in Australia.  He says that he and his staff begin each day with a hug.  We tease one of the hygienists in our office that we're going to start doing that because she is notoriously uncomfortable with hugging.  We make her hug us every now and then on special occasions, like Christmas, but she hates it.  I bet a lot of people would be uncomfortable with it, buy why?  It's a sign of affection so shouldn't we love to hug?  Maybe it's the full, frontal body contact that makes us squeamish, but there's nothing worse than an awkward hug.  Better never to have hugged at all, than to have hugged like a klutz.

I have to wonder why it's so much easier to pass along gossip, than it is to hug.  We only feel uncomfortable gossiping if we get caught.  Why is it easier to stab someone in the bag, than it is to hug them?  If you ask me, it's what we're used to.  Those juicy tidbits flow so easily from our mouths that half the time we don't even stop to think of it as gossip.  It's interesting to watch someone try to seem like they're not gossiping.  They smile while they're blabbing and sometimes even end with a tinkling laugh and say, "I'd tell you the same thing if she were sitting right here."  Really?  Let's go get her.  

So, what if you decided to spend today loving everyone you meet?  What would that look like?  What would that feel like for you and for them?  You don't have to hug them to love them, you can just find the best in them and bring it out for you and for them.  Bring it out for yourself first so you can feel appreciation for them.  Then express that appreciation to them.  It might be just as awkward as that hug at first, but they'll hold it in their heart all day long.  You'll light a light in their heart and they may be moved to love someone too.  Imagine what the day will be like if you do the same with everyone you see.  Your patients might think you're crazy, but it will be crazy in a good way.  They'll love the way you made them feel and that's everything.  At the end of the day, thank everyone for all they did that day.  Send them all home with one last dose of love.  Now you've set them up to go home and be loving toward their family.  Will it never end?  Let's hope not.

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[Edward Logan]

Encouraging words are often as potent as a full frontal hug.