THE DAILY HUG

Let me mention my friend, Ferrari!

For her privacy, I shall not give her actual name. I call her Ferrari, as she moves blindingly-fast when interested in something new. She has been dogged by ill health from childhood. She lives alone, has no relationships and is, let us say, near middle age.

About two years ago, she called me. She was going through a bad bout of negativity and self-doubt. She said she felt unwell and was going for a walk in the hope of feeling a bit better. So, I made a suggestion, which will become clear in a minute.

Around this time, a young man in Sydney, Australia had done something that, well,….people do not do. He had stood up in the middle of a shopping-mall with a big notice offering “Free Hugs!” Hundreds walked past him. A few then stopped, turned back and got a hug. Then more. In a few days, he was front page news around the world. Hugging became a global epidemic.

The local council decided to step into the matter, being one of undoubted risk and public importance. He was told to get (expensive) insurance or cease this disturbing activity. Wisely, he collected over 10,000 signatures to show people thought officials were crazy. The officials backed off.

With this in mind, I said to Ferrari that she should offer free hugs, too!

To my amazement, a few hours later, she contacted me again to say “I’ve done it!”

She had visited the office where she used to work. Where she had been known as “the human icicle”. She gave out hugs, to their utter astonishment. She told me she felt absolutely marvelous! (Funnily, she had to visit the same office the next day. When she left, she forgot her new pattern of behaviour. So, they stopped and reminded her. They wanted her to deliver more hugs.)

So, I said, “Great! You’ll have to start a blog called Hugs and Kisses!”

Guess what Ferrari did! Fast. That’s right! She blogged for the first time. (Though her title was different).

Weeks later, she said she was stopping writing as she didn’t know what to write about. So, I suggested I had the idea back again, to see if I could do anything with it. I had various alternative titles. The idea of a ring of hugs around the world was an early thought.

Then, I became busy with the writing of The Electors Charter, which later developed into this blog. I thought, Why not have a Hug page inside The Daily Difference? After all, hugs often make an absolutely huge daily difference!

So, here it is! So far, just words. A little bandwidth of goodwill. It’s for Ferrari, really. Maybe she will be interested in editing it. I must ask her. Meanwhile, let’s see what response this almost-hidden page receives!

The good doctor

I remember reading somewhere of an American doctor, who was concerned about his long queue of patients. He decided to add a new treatment for all of them. Almost regardless of their condition. The prescription was: 3 good, long hugs, 4 times a day. (Or, was it 4 hugs, 3 times a day?) The result was rather miraculous. Ailments disappeared faster. The queues shrank.

Hugs are health-giving! Self-medication is fine. If you feel low, give and get a hug! Apply the daily treatment consistently for a month. The longer the hug, usually the better.

Found on the “Reiki Progessive” website

A DOCTOR’S PRESCRIPTION FOR HUGGING:

by Mark Katz, M.D., Member of L.A. Shanti’s Advisory Board

“How important are hugging and physical and emotional contact for people affected by life – threatening illnesses? In my work, I have found that people who receive nurturing maintain a better outlook on their situation — and historically, positive attitude is an important factor in long-term survival. Hugging and physical contact make a difference in a person’s frame of mind, and may help their medical condition. Best of all, hugging has no side effects and does not require a trip to the doctor.

Anonymous quotation

“Hugging is healthy. It helps the body’s immune system. It keeps you healthier. It cures depression. It reduces stress. It induces sleep. It’s invigorating. It’s rejuvenating. It has no unpleasant side effects. Hugging is nothing less than a miracle drug. Hugging is all natural. It is organic, naturally sweet, has no pesticides, no preservatives, no artificial ingredients, and is 100% wholesome.

Hugging is practically perfect. There are no movable parts, no batteries to replace and no periodic check-ups. It has low energy consumption, high energy yield, is inflation-proof, non-fattening, has no monthly payments, no insurance requirements, is theft-proof, non-taxable, non-polluting, and is, of course, fully refundable.”