Hugs

What can a hug do? It delights. It comforts. It thrills. Who doesn’t want the warmth of a loving hug?

Just like the words, hugs speak volumes. They can mean “I miss You,” “hello,” “Bye,” “I care,” “I love you,” “It’s OK,” “I forgive,” “I’m so proud of you!”

In victory celebrations, in trying times, or in hours of bereavement, a kiss is not the need of the hour. It is the hug that matters most.

A hug costs nothing. But it is a great gift to give on any occasion. No need to stop for it or bother about size or length or width. All you need is to open your arms wide and wrap the person inside them. And no matter how long or how short your arms are, hugs are always a perfect fit. And what’s so nice about giving hug? You get one in return.

A  hug goes beyond physical contact. It encompasses compassion, love, forgiveness and care. “a hug delights and warms and charms that must be why God gave us arms,” so goes a quotation.

So with arms wide open, why not go out and hug someone today? But first, here’s my big, big hug.

- Health and Home March-April 2012

(Credits to: Lucile B. Tanalas)

Secondhand Smoke: Too Dangerous

Secondhand smoke, a mixture of gases and fine particles, includes smoke from the burning end of cigarettes and the smoke exhaled by smokers. Tobacco smoke contains a deadly mix of more than 7,000 chemicals. Hundreds of these chemicals are toxic and about 70 can cause cancer. Secondhand smoke causes immediate harm and hurts anyone who inhales it. There is NO safe amount of secondhand smoke, inhaling even a little secondhand smoke can be dangerous.

-Health and Home March-April 2012