Thanks, AGO. My home group is a big hugging group. My sponsor gives me a hug everytime he see's me. That has rubbed off and I find myself giving hugs all the time now.
My town is filled with huggers, so it goes without saying that the AA I know here is even more of a hug fest. As a drinker I used to belittle the local hug, and as I've gotten sober I've come to appreciate the gesture and how my hard shell is cracking open. Thanks, for the vid, I teared up a little despite myself.
Positive hug power can never be underestimated!! Yet, in my drinking days----I would try to coax hugs out of guilt and remorse after bending for a day or so!! Looking for hugs after practicing a disease was pretty foolish. Yet, my wife and children would sometimes comply----towards the end of my drinking career I wouldn't look for hugs knowing I had crossed the boundary line once again and was holding my family hostage. My mother, also an alcoholic, used to do the same with us---after benders---it disgusted me. Yet, I repeated the behavior!! Powerful, cunning and baffling-----thank God and my MIP that I'm present in my life and present in my families life. One hug-filled day at a time!! I'll make mine a real hug please!!