For the past three years, my best friend Marta and I have been meeting every Saturday to take a nice long walk with her dog Roxy, grab some lunch at one of our favorite spots, and talk about what's in our hearts.
We may spend some time venting about our problems, but we always get around to encouraging each other to live as if the world has our back.
As Marta was about to leave my house yesterday, she said, "Let me hug you."
When I stepped into her open arms and leaned in, I just wanted to cry.
That small gesture of receiving her hug, and hugging her back, made my heart burst open, and all the pockets of loneliness I had kept at bay rose to the surface.
I hung on, hugging her just a little longer. And she, in return, hugged me a little bit harder.
When I was younger, I thought my need for connection like that ...well, made me needy. So I would pretend I didn't need a hug, a soft touch, or a kind word. I was "fine." But that was a lie. I was never "fine."
I'm glad I quit pretending. If I hadn't, I would never have allowed the love to flow between Marta and me for that moment longer.
How about you?
Do you admit when you need a good hug from a friend or lover?
Are you willing to ask for a hug this week from someone you feel safe with?
Or if you're already getting hugs, are you willing to allow yourself to be hugged for a little bit longer than usual?
Let's devote time to admitting that we need each other more than we let on.
Admitting we need each other is a fearless act. So is asking for a hug or saying yes to being wrapped in someone's arms.
And you are devoted to fearless living, right? Then, hug on!
For the past three years, my best friend Marta and I have been meeting every Saturday to take a nice long walk with her dog Roxy, grab some lunch at one of our favorite spots, and talk about what's in our hearts.
We may spend some time venting about our problems, but we always get around to encouraging each other to live as if the world has our back.
As Marta was about to leave my house yesterday, she said, "Let me hug you."
When I stepped into her open arms and leaned in, I just wanted to cry.
That small gesture of receiving her hug, and hugging her back, made my heart burst open, and all the pockets of loneliness I had kept at bay rose to the surface.
I hung on, hugging her just a little longer. And she, in return, hugged me a little bit harder.
When I was younger, I thought my need for connection like that ...well, made me needy. So I would pretend I didn't need a hug, a soft touch, or a kind word. I was "fine." But that was a lie. I was never "fine."
I'm glad I quit pretending. If I hadn't, I would never have allowed the love to flow between Marta and me for that moment longer.
How about you?
Do you admit when you need a good hug from a friend or lover?
Are you willing to ask for a hug this week from someone you feel safe with?
Or if you're already getting hugs, are you willing to allow yourself to be hugged for a little bit longer than usual?
Let's devote time to admitting that we need each other more than we let on.
Admitting we need each other is a fearless act. So is asking for a hug or saying yes to being wrapped in someone's arms.
And you are devoted to fearless living, right? Then, hug on!
