by Linda Ratcliff
One day, someone is going to hug you so tight that
all your broken pieces will stick back together.
– Author Unknown
Hug Someone with Your Dulcimer
I used to be an awkward hugger. Oh yeah … it looked like a hug from the outside, but there was nothing real about it. There were just a few forced pats on your back, a bit of nervous smiling, and I might have been rolling my eyes behind your back.
But then I joined a church that was big on hugging, and I got a LOT of practice. Over time, I changed from being an awkward hugger to being a sincere hugger … a hugger who actually reaches out to people now for a hug (and sometimes realizes too latethat they’re still at the awkward hugger stage).
When I was thinking about the progress I’ve made with giving and receiving hugs, I realized that I’m still shy about playing my dulcimer for people. And the light came on in my brain. There are so many parallels!
- Hugs give people joy. Music gives people joy.
- Hugs give people comfort. Music gives people comfort.
- Giving someone a hug makes them feel loved. Playing your instrument for someone, especially one on one, makes them feel loved.
If you lack confidence in this area, start with something easy. Hug the folks at a nursing home with your music. You will be playing for people who appreciate your company and won’t judge. I remember the first time I played for my aunt’s friends at her nursing home … she cried the entire time. I still don’t know if it was because my playing was so bad, or she felt so loved.
NOTE: When I play for a “captive audience” like this, I always take along some percussion instruments, so they can play along with me. I quickly get more comfortable in the environment, when I can see how much fun they’re having.
NOTE: When I play for a “captive audience” like this, I always take along some percussion instruments, so they can play along with me. I quickly get more comfortable in the environment, when I can see how much fun they’re having.