Cold days are good for snuggling.  Whatever else may be said about winter it is always a good reminder that the colder we get the more comforting it is to get warm.  There is something so tender and wonderful and it catches in my mind that this is tactile memory from infancy.  Think of it, as a newborn we are taken from the snug confines of the womb into the cool air and bright lights of the world.  What do we want on a cold day? A mug of hot coffee or cocoa, the covers and pillow of our warm beds, the sweet warmth of a pet on our laps and mostly the comfort of someones arms and torso pulling us into a hug.

In this society where we are sometimes so adverse to touch, many live their lives starved for that simple expression of "warmth".

Perhaps that is why those in depression huddle under the covers.  The need for comfort being so strong that physical warmth brings a measure of contentment.  This would also in part explain why some studies have shown that pets can bring comfort to the elderly or why it's so important that newborns are held.  And even why that lack of warm sunshine can bring on the "blues".

Dismal, grey days in November through February remind us that the world can be a very "cold" place. That not only do we need a mug of coffee but we also need the care and touch of other human beings. A simple smile or word of encouragement can warm us inside as well. We are not meant to be alone...  I find it interesting that punishment in prisons can be solitary confinement.  Even the most solitary person needs some type of "warmth".

Are you cold?  Seek out some warmth today.  Are you interacting with someone who is "cold"?  Show them a little warmth.  You might be surprised how much you can thaw out a frozen heart with kindness or love.