Never Underestimate the Power of a Hug: little things with great love

 I'm a hugger.

Whether you're my family, a friend, even a famous person, I prefer a hug over a handshake :)

 One should never underestimate the power of a hug.

I work with cadets at the Citadel and the only physical touch they're likely to get is probably not too tender or nurturing.

I remember last year a cadet came to one of our BCM meetings and as he was leaving, I offered a hug. He told me that was the first hug he had had in 6 weeks. 6 weeks!?! I truly don't think I could function without a hug for that long :/

But so many people do... cadets at military colleges, elderly people who have lost their spouse, orphans around the world, etc.

Tonight was our first gathering this year of all our Citadel BCMers so I was handing out hugs left and right and heard again how it had been weeks since their last hug. And how nice it was to get a hug. The beautiful thing is that it is just as lovely to give a hug as it is to get a hug :)

Simple little things like a hug or a heartfelt smile or a sincere "how are you?" can have a huge impact. I love how Mother Teresa put it:

"We can do no great things, only small things with great love."

What if we didn't set out to save the world or start a company or end a disease (which are all great things, no doubt!) but, instead, started small like starting each day with the intention of doing small things in great love?

Just itty bitty ways to be big blessings.

I think it could have revolutionary impact.

Romans 12 says:

⁹ Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them... ¹⁰ Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other...¹³ When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

What if the world really lived that out?

There is no better time than now :)

So today, hug someone or give an excessive tip or hold the door or start a conversation, pray for someone, pay for someone's meal... whatever.

Love.

Be a blessing :)

Timeless Advice

"Don't date who you know you can't mate; you never know who you'll fall in love with!" 

"You have two ears and one mouth for a reason; you should listen twice as much as you talk."

"Listen to your mama; eat your vegetables; save your money, etc. etc. etc." 

Advice.
It is often handed out but how long is it remembered?
And how widely is it circulated?

Above are bits of advice I've heard growing up, but below is some advice that has been around for decades (possibly centuries) and it has traveled around the globe and been translated into several languages. 

I recently came across the advice that was given to me over a decade ago in a Christmas letter from my SIXTH GRADE (!?!) teacher. I guess you could call me a pack-rat. Or sentimental. Maybe a bit of both ;)

But, as I was leafing through old letters and notebooks and journals from school, that 6th grade letter had a poem in it that truly struck me. It was very deep for a 12 year old (I would have needed a dictionary just to understand half the words!). However, sitting there in a pile of dust and papers from the attic, reading the letter as a 23 year old, I  was impressed by how relevant the advice was.

The advice (below in the poem) is timeless.

The author and original creation date are a bit murky but there is no doubt that the letter is from another era.

I think there is something powerful about this bit of advice that it was pertinent then and still today. Hope you like it!

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. 

As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story. 

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. 

Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. 

But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be critical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. 

Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. 

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. 

Be careful. 

Strive to be happy.

© Max Ehrmann 1927