We learn to touch by being touched. Some of us were raised in homes where physical contact was commonplace. Others rarely received touching of any kind. A few remember only the hurtful incidents - the spankings. What do you recall about your early life relative to touching?

Settle back into a relaxed position. Put your feet up. Close your eyes. Take yourself back in time, as far as you can go. Don't feel that you have to progress logically or chronologically. Simply let your imagination suggest to you incidents that relate to your experiences of touching. Let them stay as long as they wish. Let them go when they are ready, especially if they are unhappy memories. Record your recollections.

Writing in your journal, ask yourself:

What does this mean to me today? Does it help to explain some things for me? Does it highlight areas I would like to change?

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