I love hugging. I wish I was an octopus, so I could hug ten people at a time. ~Drew Barrymore

Lately I've been thinking a lot about communication; the ways in which we communicate, how our communication changes when engaging different people and even the same person as time passes. I've also spent some time studying up on nonverbal communication. It's really quite fascinating. You should do some reading about it.  

One topic that keeps coming to mind, though I haven't done much reading on it, is the subject of hugs. I've come to the conclusion that hugs are the most versatile form of nonverbal communication. Think about it. We hug to say hello. We hug to say goodbye. We hug when we're happy and when we're sad. We hug to congratulate and to show sympathy. There are so many types of hugs too. There are hugs for friends, hugs for family, hugs for children and hugs for partners. The list goes on and on. 

Hugs convey an endless array of emotions that involve a connection between two people. Hugs draw people together. That's why there's not hug for anger or hatred. Those negative feelings drive people apart and are toxic to community. Hugs are a sign of friendship, love and healthy community. 

There is a saying that goes something like this, "Where words fail, music speaks" I feel that the same is true with hugs. I've experienced many hugs that expressed emotions that there simply weren't words for. Hugs express everything when words are inappropriate or when there's just nothing that can be said. 

While hugs express "congratulations" and "I'm sorry" and everything in between. The two most important messages that a hug conveys are "You are loved" and "You are not alone." Everyone needs to receive these messages and often. There are too many people in this world who feel unloved and alone.  Yes there are those out there that try to say that this isn't true. But sometimes words can be misused and misinterpreted. Whereas a hug is a physical representation that you are not alone. There is a person physically connected to you, and they love you enough to embrace you and  hold you in their arms. 

Hugs also have mental and physiological benefits for people.  Physical touch stimulates brain activity and growth in the body, that's why it's important for babies to be held. But it's not only important for babies. Any person who is neglected or abandoned is more susceptible to mental and physiological disorders.  

I hope my ramblings have helped you to look at hugs in a different light. I hope I've helped you to see the important role that hugs play in our communities and relationships. I also hope that this has inspired you to give hugs more often. Remind people that they are loved and that they're not alone. I believe that, given the chance, hugs could change the world for the better.

  Hug someone today and say all the things that words fail to convey. 

Much Love (And Many Hugs)

Marie