Monday, August 2, 2010

On Free Hugs (Or, What the world needs now is love sweet love)

I'm about four years too late to spread some sunshine. So deflating. My depression began a few days ago when a Facebook friend posted the video below. I was awed by the outcome and felt motivated to make it happen in my hometown. After further research into the Free Hugs Campaign, however, I learned that people from cities all over the world had jumped on board long ago - about 4 years to be exact - and had learned the hard lesson that most town law enforcement agencies were interrupting the movement by demanding permits. You know...health concerns and all...because hugging can certainly spread the worst of the worst diseases, right? Or we could knock someone over and then, hello...did someone say lawsuit?

I even had another friend on board (remember Jen from Finding Thesea?), and we were thinking of who else we could draft to join us on our day of doling out free hugs. We were trying to decide which song we'd use to accompany the awe-inspiring video we'd eventually post after our day of sharing the love. (What the World Needs Now Is Love Sweet Love???) We'd even gone so far as to talk about what clothing we should wear to appear appropriately welcoming but not too enticing (a challenging feat for two hot ladies like us...maybe). It was going to be the community service event of our summer.

But no.

Instead, I invite you to view the video and feel the warmth that Jen and I would have loved to pass on. If this is the only way I can do it, then by God, this is how it will be done. I send a free hug to every one of you, and to all the people in your lives who I don't know, and to all the people in your town, and to all your followers. I encourage you to share the love by linking, if you'd like. I don't want this to sound like an appeal for more followers, so link at your own discretion. I'm truly just in it for the hugs.

12 comments:

  1. I feel a mix of depression at the bureaucracy that gets in the way of this, and hope because of the lovely people there are in the world, many of whom I've met online.

    Hugs back at you!

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  2. Aww, I wish I wasn't so shy. I'd love to give out free hugs--to some people (not the stinky ones).

    Sending you a big virtual hug. :)

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  3. I want to do this! I've seen this campaign, somewhere here in the States (I saw it on YouTube...?) Sending you a virtual hug, Wendy!

    (Off to Link this post on my sidebar!)
    ((hugs))

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  4. I agree with Karen LOL! I'll stick with the virtual hugs. I'd hate to ctch something by hugging a stranger who might have who knows what. I'll stick to the people I know though. I'll hug them.

    Hi Linda,

    I'm responding to your request to do an interview. Sounds great! Just let me know what you want to do. Do you have a theme or just general questions you'd like to ask? Looking forward to it. I'll also direct traffic to your site and promote using Twitter and Facbook.

    Stephen Tremp

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  5. Hmm... I must have had something on my clipboard while trying to leave my signature. Oops.

    Stephen Tremp

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  6. We introduced this in school. Encouraged the kids to hug each other. The response was great, the calming influence was quantifiable.

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  7. I love these kinds of videos (and initiatives) but feel so sad that society is such that we have to think of the "consequences" of such amazing acts of love and kindness. Hugs to you for wanting to spread the love :-)

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  8. I was amased that there was as many if not more men willing to hug. And hug the man. While the women were a bit standoffish.

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  9. I had the biggest grin on my face the whole time I watched this. Thank you for sharing!

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  10. Sweetie, it's never too late for a hug campaign! I'd posted a video on a US version of this (I believe in NYC)...to a different song...and only 1 guy...but same idea!

    It's such a sweet and simple concept...I'll bet studies show many endorphins (?) are released during a big hug!

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  11. At first I was thinking it was a bit creepy, but watching the video, it was actually quote heart-warming. It also made me want to go to Italy.

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