5/8/05: Nurturing

Whether you’re a man or woman, getting in touch with your nurturing side is a healthy and rewarding step toward your self-growth. We all have inner nurturers, ready to step forth and express love, compassion and support. Our only task is to let it.

Many self-proclaimed “non-nurturers” are turned off by the idea of nurturing. “It’s just not me,” they say, “I’m not the lovey-dovey type.” It is a misconception to equate nurturing with sentimental or otherwise maudlin coddling.

To nurture simply means to provide nourishment. Nourishment promotes the growth of the person or object being nourished.

What better way to promote the growth of yourself or another person than to listen and love with non-judgment and compassion? This can be done without the dramatic flair of mushiness, in subtlety and quiet, as well as passion and emotion.

We must learn to nurture our selves and others. One simple, genuine act of nurturing has the potential to create powerfully positive returns for years to come, not only for the nurturer but also for the nurtured and others who may be rippled into the effect.