looking4hope,

If a friend asks me for a hug and hand hold, I’d be tickled and honored to give that.  I would benefit from the human touch.  Studies have shown that it helps physical as well as psychological health.  There is a saying by Virginia Satir, a respected family therapist, “We need four hugs a day for survival. We need eight hugs a day for maintenance. We need twelve hugs a day for growth.”  Plus there are so many people who want to help if asked

I would feel burdened if someone comes to me time and again with the same problem, complains, and does not do anything about it.  However I don’t have people in my life like that.  You are not a person who does that.  I encourage you to seek out people who are open to being asked for a hug and hand hold.

I can understand that you don’t want to go back to your old self but you need not swing the pendulum all the way the opposite way either.

Hugs to you looking4hope,

Mark