There's a quote that says something like, "The little things are the big things." Have you heard it before?
This is what comes to mind when I think about this prompt from the Silver Bloggers Community.
They asked:
What's one small, simple joy that consistently brightens your day, and why does it bring you happiness?
And what immediately comes to mind is a big, strong, firm, present hug from my partner each morning. Or really, any time of day.
There is something so soothing when he wraps his arms around me. I feel so held, so safe, so precious.
Photo credit: Andriyko Podilnyk (While this is not me, this is precisely how I feel in his arms.)
It makes me happy because when he hugs me like this I know we're okay. I know we can work through the hard times together. That I'm not alone in trying to figure out the challenges that sometimes feel like they are trying to drown me.
I know different people like to receive love in different ways. Gary Chapman wrote an entire book on the five love languages (though having observed humans through this lens for many years, I'd say there are more than that). But one of my main love languages is physical touch.
When someone I care about touches me on the shoulder, or holds my hand, or wraps their arms around me, I feel so loved.
When it's a member of my family with whom I feel really safe or one of my very close, dear friends then I feel really grateful to be so close to them. But there's no one whose big, all encompassing hugs I love more than the ones my mister gives me.
Hello @consciouscat,
This is @coquicoin, I'm part of the Silver Bloggers’ Community Team.
Thank you for sharing your excellent post in the Silver Bloggers community! As a special "token" of appreciation for this contribution to our community, it has been upvoted, reblogged and curated.
Thanks, @coquicoin! Hope you're keeping well. !LUV
You are welcome!
!LUV
To me, it is telling people how you really feel. Hugs and physical affection are fantastic and all, and there's nothing better than embracing a friend (even with my mates of the same gender) - but behind forthright and honest about how you feel about someone and importantly - why, is so ... empowering.
Even if it makes you feel so vulnerable.
I don't take any of my close friendships or relationships for granted, and from having a total stranger tell me (at my father's funeral) - that my dad was so proud of me, that hurt more than they could know - because he never told me.
So I make it a point to tell my friends that I cherish and respect, and adore their presence, and the positive things they bring into my life.
It is healthy to normalise this behaviour, and people that are afraid to do it - shouldn't be!
Love it. You've called out another of my love languages - Like you, I love to share and receive 'words of affection'. And like you, I have heard precious few from my father. Seems we really need to receive love in particular ways for it to really land, hey?
Absolutely. Such a shame to not know about it while people were around to be able to give it, or perhaps a shame that they were not enabled to give it. I am still enthralled by how open my in-laws are with their genuine love and affection for me.
It feels odd, and strange, but I am but an artefact of my upbringing. Every choice, every action that touched us in the past, paves the way to what we are in the present moment.
Now, I feel like I'm in control, and can be honest about my feelings, but It's taken nearly forty years (from brith to now!)