"Touch"

I've been thinking lately about intimacy and how we [as humans] achieve it. I know the simple answer is sex. Most people accept that intimacy can occur in other ways, but when it comes to equating intimacy with an activity, sex is the one most people jump to.

I once read something that struck in my mind. 'Sex can sometimes be about as intimate as buying a new pair of shoes.' It stuck in my mind because I love to buy new shoes, but that's an aside. I remember agreeing with the statement in general.

I've found that oftentimes sex is the least intimate thing people do. Sex has become so 'I want my pleasure' oriented, that the intimacy has been lost in the act. Not that the act *has* to be intimate, biology doesn't require intimacy at all. It's only the urge to reproduce.

But while biological urges don't hinge on intimacy, I think most people do crave intimacy. I think that's what all the hoopla is really about with regard to sex--the achievement of intimacy.

I consider "Touch" to be an essential element of intimacy. It doesn't have to be a sexual touch, in fact, often times it is in a casual touch that a deeper intimacy is reached for me. A slow and deliberate attempt of another to reach out and "Touch" me.

The desire to touch is really all about intimacy. It isn't about pleasure [although it certainly is pleasurable], it is about reaching out to "Feel" another. Be intimate.

I'll be honest, I'm not sure whether or not I prefer being touched or doing the touching. I have about as many concerns about touching someone I don't want to touch as I do about being touched by an unfriendly hand. I have just as deep a desire to be touched as I do to touch in more intimate settings. If I had to pick, I'd say I prefer to 'touch' rather than be touched. I think it is because my desire to "Feel" another is quite profound.

The desire to touch a person, feel them, know them somehow on all levels--physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. Simply put--be intimate. Share myself with someone through the touch of a hand upon skin. I'm constantly amazed at how happy the mere feel of my hand upon another can make me.

It's like touching the face of God in a way.