"Can you feel me hugging you?"

Last December I had the privilege and honor to hear lawyer, Bryan Stephenson, speak at the Zero to Three Conference. His presentation was so moving and inspiring, he received the most unanimous and immediate standing ovation I've ever seen. Upon my return home I immediately went to the library and checked out his book "Just Mercy". It was equally incredible.

In both his presentation and his book he tells a story of his grandma hugging him really tight and then asking "Can you feel me hugging you?" And if he said no, she would hug him harder. 

He connects this to the importance of really feeling. Of gaining understanding and doing good work through proximity. We can't impose change and solve problems from a distance. We can't reach others when we are outside. We must get closer. To challenges, to people, to areas where we want to see change. It is important to examine where we need greater proximity in our lives to empathize with others and do the work we intend to do. 

In this, Bryan is talking about seeking solutions to poverty, injustice, racism, and other risk factors for our nation's children, particularly children of color. And this might be your work too. But we can also bring this home to our personal lives. What areas of your life could use your proximity. What are you phoning in that you need to be present for? Consider how you could get closer to the people in your life, your neighborhood, your community. 

When you are apart from the people who matter the most to you, have you been so close that they can still feel you hugging them? If not, hug harder.