365 Days, Day 225

There's nothing like a mama-hug (Terri Guillemets)

If you're alone, I'll be your shadow. If you want to cry, I'll be your shoulder. If you want a hug, I'll be your pillow. If you need to be happy, I'll be your smile. But anytime you need a friend, I'll just be me (Author unknown)

If you're angry at a loved one, hug that person. And mean it. You may not want to hug - which is all the more reason to do so. It's hard to stay angry when someone shows they love you, and that's precisely what happens when we hug each other (Walter Anderson, The Confidence Course, 1997)

Today I hugged a tree. I could feel the energy even though it was a quick hug. I have decided I need to do this everyday when I walk in the forest!

Crunching along the frosty grass – each little blade of grass individually coated in it little white covering, I thought that each blade realises that it is uniquely important in this huge fairway of grass. From a distance you only see green. Only on closer inspection do you notice the individual blades. Within the life of the blade of grass there is a unity with the whole. The same applies to us. We are important little individuals who will be missed by those with whom we share our lives. We are part of a huge ‘field’, a part of the Universe. We have our important little roles in life and we need to do these roles with diligence and love, even the menial tasks (this one is for you, Ariél!).

The 5 Reiki principles that I take with me everyday are-

[Just for today]:

Work with diligence

Do not anger

Do not worry

Be grateful

Be kind to others

I am loving having my ‘chickens’ around me [Ariél, Kyle and Sarah] (just missing my last little chickens, Roarke and Gina). I enjoy the role of being mum! I have another guinea-pig for Reiki – Sarah has patiently lain down for a session and wants more.

We had a long wonderful walk this morning. Poor Lily was quite exhausted by the time we got home.

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Today’s Art Journal Prompt:

Art Journal Prompt for DAY 5

Play with Masking Tape on your art journal page

My words for 2011 are: Beginnings, awakening

Visually I see doors and nests…

365 Days, Day 75

Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams (Ashley Smith)

This is my wish for you: Comfort on difficult days, smiles when sadness intrudes, rainbows to follow the clouds, laughter to kiss your lips, sunsets to warm your heart, hugs when spirits sag, beauty for your eyes to see, friendships to brighten your being, faith so that you can believe, confidence for when you doubt, courage to know yourself, patience to accept the truth, love to complete your life (Author unknown)

Sometimes I get so caught up in the business of life that I miss the bigger picture. Life seems very intense at the moment and serious. My own life is on hold. I am between two worlds, not entirely in either. My heart is sad and heavy.

Tonight I am going to pray for a rainbow to follow this cloud.

I know I will have hugs when I am with the family tomorrow. I read an article on the power of [hugs], here is an excerpt from it.

At the centre of how our bodies respond to love and affection is a hormone called oxytocin. Most of our oxytocin is made in the area of the brain called the hypothalamus. Some is released into our bloodstream, but much of its effect is thought to reside in the brain.

Oxytocin does more than make us feel good. It lowers the levels of stress hormones in the body, reducing blood pressure, improving mood, increasing tolerance for pain and perhaps even speeding how fast wounds heal.

One thing researchers can say with certainty is that physical contact affects oxytocin levels. Light says that the people who get lots of hugs and other warm contact at home tend to have the highest levels of oxytocin in the laboratory. She believes that frequent warm contact may somehow prime the oxytocin system and make it quicker to turn on whenever there's warm contact, even in a laboratory.

We may not yet fully understand how love and affection develop between people-or how love affects our health-but research is giving us some guidance. Give those you love all the affection you can. It can't hurt, and it may bring a bounty of health benefits.

(The Power of Love By National Institute of Health)

When I taught at Aurora, at the convent and at Krugersdorp High, hugging was part of the day. Sometimes the pupils or a colleague needed a hug and sometimes they sensed I did. It was good for morale. In the UK, one does not touch the pupils at all, not even an encouraging tap on the shoulder - there is just no physical contact… I really miss the hugs I used to get from my pupils.

The family and friends are only source of hugs now. As a family we cling together in difficult times, and are a comfort to one another. Together we can get through anything.

I need a hug.

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