• Touch tenderly without provoking any violence. For the little child or the adult abandoned to years of ware housing this might mean a 1,000 hugs a day—first just light and slow touches to the hand, then to the face, and eventually transformed into an embrace.
  • For some, touch might be very minimal– for the man or woman racked with extreme poverty touch might be a warm handshake upon greeting and leaving or for the adult traumatized by sexual abuse it might be just our physical proximity.
  • Speak softly, slowly, and affectionately—using your word to uplift, encourage, and nurture instead of to correct or reprimand.
  • Gaze warmly into the person’s eyes as if they are the windows to the soul.
  • Do activities with the person, or even for the person, before expecting anyone to do things for you.
  • Beckon the person to reach out to you with loving touch, soft words, and warm gazes.

At all costs, avoid provoking any violence and focus sharply on evoking a sense of peace.