The Gibson Mill, an oil painting in progress. Above the canvas is the photo I am attempting to recreate in oil
I recently read that clinical psychologist Claude Steiner concluded from his research that verbal and physical encouragement are absolutely essential for our well-being. Expressions of affection including "touch" make a tremendous difference in peoples lives.
I remember a distant relative telling me that when she visited an orphanage in Romania several years ago, she was shocked at the circumstances. Romania had been through some difficult times and the number of children left behind without parents was staggering... As it turned out, the children were missing out on, "some much needed" hugs and kisses and were literally dieing from lack of affection!
My dear friends, sincere and appropriate expressions of affection are of great help to someone who is worried, depressed, in pain or just plain insecure. The comfort found in a simple, compassionate and loving hug or a kiss brings "oh so much" physical and emotional satisfaction. "Affectionate" communication is the key to opening up to a loved one...it even makes us grow in our own humanity. Without love, compassion, generosity, tender hugs and kisses, a touch, stroke on the cheek, a loving smile, we lose our sense of who and what we are on this planet. We need each other and we need to reach out to the ones we love.
Not to forget that affection is a simple, non-pharmaceutical way to reduce stress. It is a known fact that highly affectionate people tend to have better mental health because they react to stress better. What is really great is that the giver benefits as much as the receiver of verbal and physical expressions of love.
Never assume the people you care about know how you feel about them. Everyone wants to hear it, wants to feel it. It is natural to desire fondness or tenderness through words and touch. Yes, I want to be told that you love me, if you do...and I want to be told often! I want to experience the emotional euphoria found in those three little words..... "I love you".
