HuGs-----A Dose of Healing~

I've said it often, a hug is one of my most favorite things of life! I love to give and receive hugs. They are very valuable to me but when I am in a serious low or depressed state, the hardest thing for me to do is hug someone for fear they may "know" that I mostly needed one in return.

I was not nurtured as a child. I was loved, don't get me wrong but I was not nurtured...major difference. For one, I kept myself isolated and didn't want anyone getting too close to me. I feared breaking down and spilling all the secrets that my little heart was full of.

I didn't realize just what I had missed out on until I became and adult and a mother. That was when I realize the value of a hug. Once I started opening up and allowing someone to hug me...i was feeling a different affect it was having on me. It felt so good.

I am still bad about clamming up when I feel the need for a hug and tend to run in the other direction because I feel shameful for feeling the desire or the need for one and certainly don't want my vulnerable feelings to show.

I have recently been reading hug therapy books by
Kathleen Keating

Because I know I am not the only one in need of hugs on occasions. I found her books quite interesting!! People ask me "how can you reach out so easily to people you do not know?" It has to do with the understanding and compassionate heart that I have been given to understand that those people have a place in this world just like I do, they hurt and feel just like I do and they must be deserving or God would not have created them. That's just my thought on that.

The Power of Hugging:

"Hugging accomplishes many things that you may never have thought of. It ...

- feels good
- dispels loneliness
- overcomes fear
- opens doors to feelings
- builds self-esteem (WOW, SHE actually wants to hug me!)
- fosters altruism (I can't believe it but I actually want to hug that old son-of-a-gun)
- slows down aging (huggers stay young longer)
- helps curb appetite (we eat less when we are nourished by hugs and when our arms are busy wrapped around others)
- More Good Things from Hugging
- eases tension
- fights insomnia
- keeps arms and shoulder muscles in condition
- provides stretching exercise if you are short
- provides stooping exercise if you are tall
- offers a wholesome alternative to promiscuity
- offers a healthy, safe alternative to alcohol and other drug abuse (better hugs than drugs!)
- affirms physical being
- is democratic (anyone is eligible for a hug)

Even More Benefits from Hugging

- is ecologically sound (it does not upset the environment)
- is energy-efficient (saves heat)
- is portable
- requires no special equipment
- demands no special setting (a fine place for a hug is any place from a doorstep to an executive conference room ... from a church parlor to a football field)
- makes happy days happier
- imparts feelings of belonging
- fills up empty places in our lives
- keeps on working to dispense benefits even after the hug is released

Hugging is healthy. It helps the body’s immunity system, keeps you healthier, cures depression, reduces stress, induces sleep, invigorating, rejuvenating, has no unpleasant side effects and is nothing less than a miracle drug! Its organic, naturally sweet, no pesticides, no preservation's, no artificial ingredients and is 100% wholesome. Hugging is practically perfect. There are no movable parts, no batteries to wear out, no periodic check-ups, low energy consumption, high energy yield, inflation proof, non fattening, no monthly payments, no insurance requirements, theft proof, non taxable, non polluting and fully returnable! We should be hugged or giving hugs at least twelve times a day. The giving of a hug sets the message straight! It’s a simple and wonderful message which is given."

WOW---Who Knew?? No wonder I love hugs so much! Its a miracle drug!!:p

I remember one time when I was a young teen, I went to give a lady a hug and she said to me " You gave me a hug, now allow me to give you one back" so she hugged me and I was amazed that she cared enough to give one in return. So simple yet so meaningful. I will never forget that dose of love in return.

Last year, as some of you know I was going through a severe depression. I withdrew from my world around me and discovered facebook while staying hid in my home, I refused to go places nor was I wanting to be around people. That made the computer (YOU) my friend...my outlet.

Even after making some friends...I was hiding my depression and grew more and more depressed because I was refusing to share my deepest struggles at the time and during that time of my deepest pain; I wrote a poem.

In the cyber world, you have to actually express your feelings, needs, etc by writing for one to understand or know your thoughts or feelings because there is no face to face or eye to eye contact. No body language or facial expression to read. Even then it was hard for me to express myself. I was hurting so deeply and didn't know how to reach out....

How loud does a person need to scream to get even ones attention...

How far must one go to express a need...

How many signs must one give in hope to receive...

How much does one have to hurt before another can read...

No voice to be heard, no eye contact to be made, no body language to read...

Today, there has been a need, but did anybody see?

Does this mean i have to actually type out the words in order for you to read, just to know my very need?

Can you feel that i have a need or do you actually have to read?

Why must you force me to do the uncomfortable deed, to actually write out what it is that i need?

What is it you ask, while i sit here and grieve?
Before i share, just allow me to breathe.

I admit that i feared you may shrug, at the thought of me asking for a simple hug.

The sign is really there, if you truly do care. Its waving on a pole.......the outskirts of my soul"......

Those are some strong words and I feel the pain I was experiencing then, every time I read them. Thank goodness I am doing so much better this month than I have in the past several months. It helps to open up and allow some of those healing hugs into our lives.

I just wanted to take the time to share with you of how something so simple could mean so much to someone. You never know what they may be going through.

Freely give of your hugs during this "month of Love"! Find someone to hug today. You have no idea just what it might do for someone in need. A hug to me means more than ANY gift that could be bought and/or given.

I bless you today my friends and here is a ((hug)) for you!

Wacky Winter~

This has been one of the wackiest winters we have had in years here in NW Arkansas. We have seen the most snow this winter than we have seen in several years and I have enjoyed every snowflake that has fallen. I can't say it enough...I love the snow! I hope to see at least another snow or two before winter is over. However, I have been enjoying this spring like weather that we have been experiencing this week. It couldn't have come at a better time considering we unexpectedly lost a friend this week and needed the sun to shine down on us.

I couldn't resist wanting to share my fun experience in the snow this winter when my daughter and I decided to go for a drive to get some winter pix of the beautiful and largest snowfall of the year (so far). We had gotten 9 inches of snow and I couldn't resist the urge to be out in it. While driving around, we come across this beautiful pond near a park and I wanted some pix of the ducks that were swimming on the pond and the beautiful scenery that surrounded it with all the snow. So, I decided to take a drive on the unplowed, side road that takes you to the pond/park. I was doing really good until I got up to the hill that we had to climb to top the edge to catch the scenery. That's where it happened.....I got stuck.

While I tried with all my might to get unstuck; I sent Charity over the edge of the hill to take some pix of the ducks on the pond. I was so excited to get these pix and wasn't the least bit bothered that we were stuck in the snow. I was calling it a fun adventure while my daughter was rolling her eyes....LOL

We decided to call a friend who actually happened to be real close by to come help pull us out. Once we told him our reason for being where we were he was in the middle of hooking up our vehicles and told Charity, with his pointing finger, "this is what you need to be getting the pictures of." So she runs to the van to get her camera back out and this is whet she got....











I'd be ready to get out and do it again tomorrow if it snows another 9 inches:D
Have I mentioned that I LOVE THE SNOW?!?! Just wanted to make sure you knew that! lol

Fresh Start~

Well, it's only been 10 months since I last blogged. HA~ Shame on me.
I even ask a dear friend Sheila to redo my blog layout for encouragement. Thank you, Sheila. You did an awesome job! I also sought some encouragement from my dear friend Dawn on more than one occasion.

So here I am, several months later, making a fresh start! I have decided I am just gonna have to put my fingers to the keys and just "gitter done"....as random as it may be.
I am also gonna have to relearn all the fun little gadgets that help make blogging fun and exciting to read and write. Maybe with some help from all of my wonderful blogging friends I will have it all down again in no time:D

As much as I love the snow, I am hoping our 2010 winter is nearing the end and our next season is ready to spring;) Each season holds it's own beauty and I appreciate the beauty and the freshness of the new blooming trees, grass, flowers and the beautiful lingering fragrances along with warmth of the sunshine!! I can almost feel and smell it all now...my escape, as cabin fever has 'bout got the best of me!

I can't wait to share the fruits of my creative juices that have been flowing during the winter months. With all the excitement of the babies of several online friends(Lin, Kristine & Marianne)that are on their way! It sure put my mind wheels rolling. I love babies and I enjoy sewing for babies. I will share as I get them completed. Here is a shot of an unfinished set of burp cloths that I can't wait to get in the mail:D









Don't they just make ya wanna have another baby....hehe:D

Some of my winter coup chores should have consisted of doing lots of cleaning but instead they consisted of:
>>Organizing all of my pix into file folders. Would you believe I have so many that it actually took two full days to get that them done?! The I placed them on a flash drive so I wont lose them if my laptop ever decides to crash! Been there don't that:/
>>Organizing all of crafts supplies, threads and ribbons so I feel more like crafting when I feel my creative juices flowing instead of screaming....LOL
>>More of an activity but working on a farm scene puzzle and I have been enjoying it as it has brought back so many memories of my childhood days of living on the farm:)

Most of you know I have had a pet in my home for the last 12 years but had to make one of the toughest decision to find my latest baby Chloe` a new home due to the difficulty of my health and finances this year. One of the hardest decisions I have had to make in a very long time. While I have had a difficult time adjusting and missing her terribly I took the time to find just the right home where I KNOW she is with a very loving family and is being a comfort to her new mommy AND she is getting ready to be a new mommy for the first time herself:D Her new family...my dearest online friend Karen drove three hours to come pick her up and I am SO looking forward to going to visit them in the Spring. My last planned trip was cut short as I was Ill and had to make a quick trip home and ended up back in the hospital for the second time in the same month.

Speaking of spring....the sun is shining and the temp is in the 50's today...so spring-like. I think I am going to get out, soak up some sun, enjoy feeling the sun shine on my face for awhile and breathe in some fresh air. Hope it brings some healing to this heaviness I have been feeling in my heart! More to come....