The firework next door went off with an almighty bang, the windows rattled and the sky erupted in a sea of red and white. A terrified Lindsay came running from the dark recesses of the house, her tail between her legs and huddled at my feet.

Linda and I sat on the floor beside her and gave her a hug and within seconds she'd calmed down. There were two final fireworks in our neighbour's Canada Day show that made her startle, slightly; but she felt nothing like the terror of moments before.

Touch is an amazing thing. Just being in physical contact comforted her. Comforting her brought us pleasure as well.

Through hugging we literally stay in touch with each other.

Rubble recently did my astrology chart and one of the things her chart revealed about me is that I like to hug. I do. I confess it. Her chart was right, I'm a hugger.

But hugging is not without its risks. Not everyone likes to be hugged, or even touched. Hugging can convey a sexual message that wasn't intended. Hugging can become a sexual experience that wasn't expected. A hug not returned can convey rejection. A hug held too long can feel smothering.

One of Linda's cousins from Regina came to visit last week. He hugged Linda but shook my hand. Howie Mandel on Deal or No Deal won't shake hands but is comfortable with a hug.

Women, in general, are more comfortable with hugs than men. Children who aren't hugged enough, don't thrive.

Our sexual harassment policy at work permits shaking hands but explicitly forbids hugging in the workplace. An unwanted hug can be a form of sexual exploitation. Hugging is unprofessional and a potentially career destroying act.

Hugging is an art form. Some people are wonderful huggers. Others, who like to hug, who insist on hugging, are stiff and uncomfortable. There are cleanliness issues with some people that makes for unpleasant hugging.

Some people seem to have been born with a disdain for hugging. Some with a fear of it. Some have been hurt or betrayed and have learned to mistrust hugs.

I love the Free Hugs videos. At a recent Health Work and Wellness conference I attended there was a Free Hugs booth. A man and a woman stood outside the booth with Free Hugs signs while people hurried past pretending not to see them.

How about you. Are you a hugger? Have you had any bad experiences with hugging? Do you find hugging a healthy expression or a frightening one?

At its best hugging is a joyful expression of delight in others that brings a smile to our face, reduces our stress levels and affirms us it ways nothing else can.

Do you want a hug?



And if you want more hugs...