Love Anyways...and Hug One Another

As I made my way around town completing errands today, it hit me like a ton of bricks: everyone just needs a hug right now. Or 10 hugs. Raise your hand if you need a hug--I wish I could hug you all!  

I'm sure you've heard the Burt Bacharach song lyrics, "What the world needs now, is love, sweet love. It's the only thing, that there's just too little of..."

I don’t fully agree that there’s not enough love in our hearts, because I know there’s so many people with so much love in their hearts, but just for specific groups. Could there be people who are more Grinch-like than loving that I'd love to see embodying love more? Absolutely!

But what I think there’s not enough of is us sharing that love with others, especially anyone deemed "the other." Have you noticed that, too?

I think what the world needs now is hugs and more sharing of love.

“We need 4 hugs a day for survival. We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth.” – Virginia Satir, American Author and Psychotherapist.

Hugs boost our immune system, teach us to co-regulate our nervous systems with loved ones, reduce stress, and provide therapeutic touch. Hugs can be platonic or romantic--they just require consent from both people to be therapeutic. For those who dislike hugs, hi-fives, fist bumps, and handshakes are all great alternatives. Read more about the science of hugs here.

So whether you gather with your families or not this week, I invite you to find ways to show people love, and see just how many hugs In one day you can accumulate! If you need ideas, start with the 5 Love Languages and see if any of those would resonate for you, or the other person, as an appropriate manner to show some love. Remember, love is not just romantic. You can show love to anyone through kindness, compassion, words of affirmation, hugs, quality time, thoughtful gifts, and acts of service.

Just like in the loving-kindness meditation, please start with yourself first. How can you show yourself more love?  

Then think about the people you care about-- how can you show them you love them?

And then the random strangers you encounter in your daily life. How can you share a little love with them?

And the biggest challenge of all perhaps is, how can you show love to the people you judge, despise, or maybe even hate for existing? What could that even look like?

We are all children of somebody. We all have families no matter how big or small. I believe for the most part everyone is trying to do their best based on what they believe to be true. The catch is, we all have different beliefs about what’s best, and that’s when we forget to love each other anyways. So my invitation to you is to love anyways. Some people have made so many mistakes that they feel unworthy of love, and those are more likely to be the Grinches out there. But they need to be shown how to find their way back to love (and how to forgive themselves.)

I’ve always been deeply inspired by the Humanitarian "Hugging Saint," Amma. She hugs hundreds of people a day all around the world, with a grand total in the millions at this point. I had the opportunity to attend one such event about 15 years ago. It was mind-blowing how much love was in the room. After I received my hug, I was shocked to find myself in an altered state. My heart was buzzing with energy and I couldn’t believe one simple hug with pure intention and selflessness from one single human could bring such profound healing to other people by the hundreds. I am so grateful for her and that experience.

Love anyways!

In any way. Big or small, it all counts. Please share the love because when we share it, the love grows. And because there’s too many people in the world who don’t know that they are loved. That is a travesty. It’s time to spread love rather than hate. It's time to love for the sake of growing and sowing love. Humanity is desperate for love right now.

May we all find ways to radiate love through the holidays. And remember to shine that love inward first, so that your cup runneth over and you have plenty to share with others, ********

If you struggle through the holidays, here are some blogs to help you manage stressful situations, hold clear boundaries, build your resilience, and gift meaningfully without spending a dime..

And here are some holiday specials on EFT Tapping to heal relationship trauma and break addictions, and Sound Healing to reset your nervous system to peace and tranquility. My December 2025 booking page is here.