Editorial: Everyone could use a hug

Hug it out, instead of refusing to talk to someone because you don’t agree with them.

Hugging has a relaxing and soothing effect on people and there are days that I long to hug my mudder in Newfoundland. Yes, we disagree on many things with each other in our continuous text conversation. This got me thinking, yes that’s dangerous, if I could just hug my mother I’m sure it would ease the tension.

A mother’s love never ends and even though we disagree sometimes we still chat daily.

I’m sure Alberta Premier Jason Kenney could use one, and there are a lot of people in the Lakeland right now that could also use a hug right now. Are you one of them?

Not everyone likes to be hugged or touched in the same way. We all know that feelings of loneliness and those experiencing chronic stress can ultimately be harmful, and I believe a hug could change this. Or at least make you smile and believe that someone cares.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we witnessed a lot of animosity amongst ourselves, as friends turned on friends who didn’t agree with each other’s views.

I won’t say I lost any friends during the pandemic because I really didn’t have that many friends, to begin with. I mean how dare the government think that I actually had ten friends for an indoor gathering. A good, old-fashioned bear hug will work wonders – the kind that makes us feel like everything’s going to be all right. I could use a hug like that right now from my mother after two years of COVID-19 pandemic news writing.

Experts told us during the pandemic that hugging could be dangerous in the spread. We were told the more people we hug, the greater our risk; so, we should limit our hugging to those closest to us and only if they are following the COVID safety guidelines.

We were told during the start of the pandemic that we should avoid hugging people in high-risk groups due to age (over 60) or medical conditions (lung disease, cancer, and so on). The government even told us that hugging outdoors probably is less risky than embracing within a closed space.

Well Lakeland, I think it’s time to forget all that nonsense. Yes, I said nonsense and I meant it.

Hug your neighbour, hug your mudder, and hug your friends. I believe the government wanted us to hate each other during the last two years or at least try to instill those thoughts. For some of us, it worked. However, I believe the spirits of loving Canadian’s can not be broken.

It appears as if we were never meant to enjoy our lives for the last two years. Now is the time to instill hope in Canadians who are feeling and wondering why they were born in this harsh world. I believe you should always love people from the heart and what better way to show it than with a hug.

Hugs, one of the most instinctive expressions of comfort, affection, connection, and support, have been denied to many of us since the beginning of the outbreak. Therefore, let’s flood social media with pictures of hugs. Grab your camera, snap a photo of your hug and post it in the comments section.

Instill hope in your fellow Canadian with a hug and show them they’re not alone. They say a person needs just three things to be truly happy in this world: Someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for.

A hug fits all those categories. I know this editorial may be controversial for some, but I say, happy hugging!

Everyone could use a hug. Give a hug today to instill hope.