Free Hugs

One of the preferred practices from class that I plan on implementing to the fullest this semester is hugging it out & saying thank you.  After my off-putting diagnosis from the doctor, knowing now also that I wasn't contagious, I decided to give free hugs on Thursday, the 14th.  I know people might think it was for them - but really it was a win-win.  What a stress reliever and booster to get hugs from hundreds of strangers with some repeats :)

I got a lot of really wonderful, positive feedback from that activity and just centered around that day in itself.  Some people are suspicious of anything free - even a hug I guess, but the overwhelming response that I got was "thank you" "do this more often," "you all are awesome," etc.  I love making people's day - getting a hug/knowing that someone, even a stranger is willing to reach out to you and give you that much needed physical contact is really something magical. 

There's been a lot of chatter about this new facebook page called "GMU Confessions." Most of them have no relevance to me and some are somewhat disturbing - the confessions, however there was one posted that day that really warmed my heart and exemplified why I give Free Hugs and why it's so important (image posted).  How fantastic!

It's great to hear, especially because I plan on doing this a lot more often - this semester on campus and off and will be even completing my Transformation and Consciousness in Action project around this campaign.  Thursday the 14th was a great day.  A coworker of mine who stopped by for a Free Hug and asked about the movement that is Free Hugs later texted me and said, "I don't know if I've ever said this, but you're one of the few good people I know." I felt very privileged to have such a wonderful day and be shown the goodness in people - young and old. A stranger who gave me a hug told me I restored her faith in humanity - that might be a stretch but it was appreciated on both ends, nonetheless.