The Power of Healthy Touch

Posted on Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Part of my personal journey is expanding my capacity to give and receive healthy, loving, non-sexual touch. So it is so perfect that I moved to Portland – home to the bourgeoning cuddle movement! We have some of the modern founders here – Bob Czimbal and Maggie Zadikov, authors of the 1991 book Vitamin T: A Guide to Healthy Touch. We also have Dave Wheitner’s 2014 Snuggle Party Guidebook: Create Deeper Friendships, Decrease Loneliness & Enjoy Nurturing Touch Community. In addition, we’ve got professional cuddler, Samantha Hess, with her 2014 book Touch: The Power of Human Connection, plus she recently began a new business – Cuddle Up to Me, where people pay for cuddle time.

I recently went to an orientation meeting with Kristen Reynolds, the organizer for Oregon Touch, a Meetup group with almost 500 snugglers. And Cuddle Con is coming on Feb 14!  I’m facing my touch fears head on, in friendly ways. I learned about puppies and cats – those that want and receive all the healthy touch they can get and others who want to be asked and be able to decide each time. I’ve yet to go to a snuggling event, and my new friend, Amy, has already planned an event at my house for Thursday, Feb 26, 7-9:30pm. Eeek! So I’m doing Fear Melters and Breathing.

And oh, how the Universe is letting me know I’m ready. I’ve got a new roommate who loves touch, does bodywork and energy healing, and wants to cuddle. I notice I’ve been avoiding, being busy. I do experience a full body YES, and I feel scared! I faced this today; I spoke it out loud. I have the opportunity to create new options between no touch, abusive touch, and sexual touch. There is more! I am willing. Here goes! Love me and love my journey….

 

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