Journal # 3

The power of touch can be life altering.  It can be both positive and negative.  Haptics-is known as study of touch.  Touch is one of those things we all do day in and day out and pay little attention to. Until I read this chapter I never realized how much of a 'touch' person I am.  When I am talking with someone who is having a bad day, I reach out and touch their arm to show my concern and support for them.  If I see a child crying the first thing I automatically do is reach my arms out to them.  If they come, I give them a hug.  If they are resistant and don't want to come I tell them its okay and touch their shoulder and tell them things will be okay.  I never knew that doing these things that seem so natural to me can have such an impact on another person.  

The movement of arms was a very enriching topic for me.  I learned that it's okay to cross your arms if you are comfortable.  It's the matter of how tight and if you are clasping your hands that give the impression to others that you are upset or frustrated.  I was always told it wasn't polite to cross your arms when talking with someone.  I sure learned something new in this section on that.  

I reflected back on when I started a new job, how I entered the building.  I held my purse close to my stomach not knowing this was a protection that my body was doing.  I never thought of how our brain goes almost into automatic pilot when we are in situations and our body takes over from there.  Our arms, legs, fingers, feet, and face are all protectors for us.  It also tells others what is really going on inside, whether we want to talk or not.  

I wholeheartedly believe in the power of touch.  My second daughter was born 6 1/2 weeks early.  I personally have seen how holding her, touching her face, touching her hands and legs made a difference in how quickly she responded and grew.  I compared her to another baby in the same situation who only had nurses to do the interactions with her.  Her growth and development rate was quite a bit slower than that of my daughters.  These chapters helped validate my feelings and beliefs in touch as a necessary part of our lives and have a huge impact on us.