Feeling the Love
The power of touch is real.
A hand shake, a tap on the shoulder, a hug. Touch can mean many things – and can also be taken many ways.
Touch can be taken out of context. In security, something as simple as touching someones arm can be taken as an assault. The lengths that some people go to, and the many interpretations, can make every action and reaction as much consequence as it is reward.
Being mindful of touch and peoples personal space is something not to be taken lightly.
But on the other hand, when it comes down to people you are comfortable with, and people that are comfortable with you, touch can go a long way.
A touch can calm someone, smooth a moment, or reassure. It shows you care.
Its taking the handshake to another level.
When you’re part of a team that actively hugs, you can be constantly boosting each other without even realizing or putting in a lot of effort. Someone could come in and be having a bad day, and as opposed to a handshake, they’re greeted with a hug. It could be that little extra push they needed.
Hugging of course isn’t for everyone, and we all need to respect boundaries.
Some people just aren’t as open to hugging, or physical contact as others. And this is ok. There are other ways to express affection, kindness, gratitude or recognition.
Showing you appreciate someone doesn’t always have to be a long thought out process involving flowers and gift cards. Simply telling someone that you appreciate them can go a long way.
Imagine if every little thing you did for someone, or people in general – was acknowledged.
If everyone said Thank you – and meant it. Or if they said they ‘appreciate you’.
Imagine how that would make you feel? Knowing that the act you’ve completed, no matter how big or how smalls, was recognized.
What you did was acknowledged and appreciated.
Its a nice feeling. Knowing that people understand what you’ve done for them.
It can even make you want to do more. Run on a high of appreciation.
Sometimes the lengths you go too don’t have to be so extreme. Things can be very simple. And the same goes for showing your appreciation.
Its actually completely free and painless to say the words ‘I appreciate you’.
Its basically a verbal hug.
Both make you feel cared for, appreciated, and wanted.
They strike at the most basic levels, are quick and economical, and yet are sometimes so sadly underused.
There are some that are on another level. They think differently, feel differently, act differently.
All of our emotions are wired differently.
Some of us react better to touch, some of us react better to verbal acknowledgment, and some of us respond well to the silent voids that others tend to leave.
Theres no hard or fast rule to what is the right and wrong way to express feelings of appreciation, love, or care.
There never will be. We will all always be different and react best in our own ways. Figuring people out may always be like decoding a bomb that is ready to go off.
Unless we are willing to try, and take risks to show we care, or verbalize our feelings and appreciation, we will never know how our actions may affect others.
The safest place to start is by verbalizing you care – I appreciate you.
Three words with zero commitment but a lot of care. And for those really listening, it may be the main reason they do what they do. For those three words.
And if you happen to join a work family of huggers – whether you’re a touchy feely person or not, at the end of the day you just may find that that extra touch is what helps get you through the day.
When your coworkers become more like family, your work becomes less like work. Life can be easier and that little bit brighter.
The power of touch and the power of appreciation are real – and both can go a long way.
Guest Blogger Rayna Davies
Rayna Davies is a graduate and practitioner of Business Management. She has developed an expertise in blogging, covering subjects like travel, world events and security. Having grown up with a father who has developed an expertise in Physical Security and Executive Protection in the RCMP and two major corporations, she has personally observed and 
experienced many security details. These experiences have included personally meeting HM Queen Elizabeth, Prime Minister Jean Chretien and many celebrities. She presently assists Sentinel Security in Executive Protection workshops and guest blogging and also assists Gloprosec Preventative Services in Intelligence gathering and Business Administration. Her passions include World travel, having visited every continent.
