Before I left for the weekend, I wrote a message on the dry erase board in the activities room: “Don’t wait for someone to open his heart to you. Open your heart first.” This applies to many modes of human connection, even to the message I shared in last week’s Fit Tip about Skin Hunger. Yes. We all need to be touched. We need to feel connected to others. When we realize the power we hold in our own hands, we begin to see how we can be effective minsters to not only others, but to ourselves, as well. When our physical contact with each other is limited (as it is now, with social distancing), those of us who live alone and have limited human contact, can use self-compassion to help ease the effects of isolation. Very simply, by gently placing your open hands on your face, with eyes closed for a few moments, you can reap the benefits of human touch. With each breath, focus your thoughts on one uplifting, positive energy word, such as “peace” as you cradle your face in your own hands. Quietly enjoy the warmth or coolness of your hands on your cheeks, your jaws and temples. Use the tips of your fingers to gently massage your temples and eyebrow ridges. Following this peaceful first step, move your hands downward to your neck and continue to breathe deeply, exhaling completely while focusing on your mantra. Spend several breaths with your hands softly on your neck. Feel the muscles supporting your neck, near the cervical spine and again, using your fingertips, gently massage. Do this by slowly tapping and drumming each finger in turn on the muscles in the back of your neck. Now, reach across your body with both arms and give yourself a hug. Again, hold this position with eyes closed and take several slow, deep breaths while focusing your thoughts on your uplifting word. If you can’t reach both arms at the same time, that’s OK. Use one arm at a time. Take time to hold each of your shoulders in turn. Hold your arms and forearms. Turn one hand palm upward, one downward, and hold your hands. Really take time to feel the touch of each hand in the other. Massage your hands, one with the other, taking turns. Clasp your fingers together and gently squeeze. Open the fingers and press the hands together in the prayer position. This is a good time to focus on anything and everything for which you are grateful in your life. If you pray, I encourage you to do that. Be your own masseur or masseuse, and provide the human compassion we all need. Be well.

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