In
the 90’s when I was chaplain at a tertiary education institute, the Student
Services team and I decided to offer a ‘Hug Day’ to lift people’s spirits in
the middle of a dreary winter. After first asking permission of course, posters
were put up and fliers sent out, with pictures from Kathryn Keating’s ‘A Little Book of Hugs’ showing two polar bears
in a whole range of hugs, from the intimate
hug on the book cover to the ‘A’ frame hug, the ‘side-on’ hug and so on. People
had plenty of guidance about what was and wasn’t okay, and, for a day, there
was a lot of laughter and appropriate, consented hugging – it was a hug[e] emotional
boost!
But now in 2020, with Covid-19 spreading, many of us are having
to practice physical distancing and can only hug those in our bubble, unless
our bubble-mates struggle to share touch, or avoid close physical contact because
of earlier trauma or cultural conditioning. And, if we’re on our own, having a pet
can help fill that need for close contact, but not everyone is in that position.
What do we do if we’ve no-one to hug?
We can use our sanctified imagination. While some may be
wary of the imagination I think it’s fair to say that we’re already seeing the
positive fruit of the imagination of musicians, songwriters, poets, comedians, artisans
and ‘ordinary’ people within their four walls, as they create resources to lighten
the global mood a little, while we bob along on these seas of uncertainty.
So, if you’d like to give this a go, let me ‘talk’ you
through this imaginative hugging process.
Find a time and a place where you’re not going to be
disturbed. [ put your phone on mute!]
Choose a favourite pillow or large cushion. Take a few slow,
deep breaths.
Invite the Loving Presence to be with you.
As you hold your pillow/cushion in your arms, think of someone
with whom you feel completely safe or who lifts your spirit. It may be an
absent partner or a child, an old friend, or even Jesus.
Close your eyes and imagine that person is here with you now
… gently draw the pillow/cushion nearer until it is comfortably close … hug for
as long as you like. You may even want to dance … speak … or sing … or just be quiet, resting in
the knowledge that you are loved, and held and secure.
When you are ready, take a few deep breaths and open your
eyes. Spend a little time in quiet reflection before re-engaging with your
surroundings.
You may even like to write something about this experience –
or share it with someone whom you trust.
May you know you are held in the love of God – always.
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