In our family...

In our family....we do second chances...we do grace...we do real...we do mistakes...we do I'm sorry (and I forgive you)...we do loud really well...we do hugs...we do family...we do love.















Tuesday, November 3, 2009

How many hugs have you had today?

"We need 4 hugs a day for survival.

We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance.

We need 12 hugs a day for growth."
Virginia Satir

I just came across this video the other day. I was amazed by this concept. How did I not know about this? It is nothing new. In fact I think it’s a couple of years old. Maybe I like it so much, because by nature, I am a hugger. Hugging makes me feel good. And most of the time, it makes the person I am hugging feel good too. At least I hope so anyways.

I actually cried(happy tears) while watching this. And then I had to watch it again.

I hope you take the 3 minutes and 39 seconds to watch this. Even if you don’t read all of this post and just watch the video…I promise it will make you smile.

Didn’t this make you feel good?

I love the energy in this video. It made me smile and feel so good. I just had to share this with you.

After watching this a couple of times, I went to this web site, freehugscampaign.org where I found all this information.

Sometimes, a hug is all that we need.

Free hugs is a real life controversial story of Juan Mann, A man who's sole mission was to reach out and hug a stranger to brighten up their lives.
In this age of social disconnectivity and lack of human contact, the effects of the Free Hugs campaign became phenomenal.
As this symbol of human hope spread across the city, police and officials ordered the Free Hugs campaign BANNED. What we then witness is the true spirit of humanity come together in what can only be described as awe inspiring.

How it all started:

“I'd been living in London when my world turned upside down and I'd had to come home. By the time my plane landed back in Sydney, all I had left was a carry on bag full of clothes and a world of troubles. No one to welcome me back, no place to call home. I was a tourist in my hometown.”

“Standing there in the arrivals terminal, watching other passengers meeting their waiting friends and family, with open arms and smiling faces, hugging and laughing together, I wanted someone out there to be waiting for me. To be happy to see me. To smile at me. To hug me.”

“So I got some cardboard and a marker and made a sign. I found the busiest pedestrian intersection in the city and held that sign aloft, with the words "Free Hugs" on both sides.
And for 15 minutes, people just stared right through me.”

“The first person who stopped, tapped me on the shoulder and told me how her dog had just died that morning. How that morning had been the one year anniversary of her only daughter dying in a car accident. How what she needed now, when she felt most alone in the world, was a hug. I got down on one knee, we put our arms around each other and when we parted, she was smiling.”


“Everyone has problems and for sure mine haven't compared. But to see someone who was once frowning, smile even for a moment, is worth it every time.”

Juan Mann

Thank you Juan Mann for starting such a beautiful campaign. Thank you for not giving up even when they tried to ban hugging. Thank you Sick Puppies for a great song with wonderful words.

Reading the story behind this, touched my heart. I think about the risk this man took in starting this campaign. And how contagious the hugging was…I think about the people in this video, who joined in and stood with “Hugs for free” signs…what courage they had…and how blessed and over flowing they must have felt when it was over.

This made me think of all the times in my life when I was alone and would have done almost anything to have someone hug me. I felt like the leper, who no one wanted to touch. Even though I was the one that had put myself in this position of being alone, I still needed a hug, even though I was too proud to ask for one.

I remember the first time I was hugged in the healing sort of way. There was nothing sexual about it. He was basically a stranger. He was the spirit filled priest that came to visit me when I was in drug treatment almost 25 years ago. I remember like it was yesterday, how it felt in those moments to be hugged. He was without a doubt my heavenly visitor…my Jesus with skin on.

I also think about all the people I have known in my life time. The many desperate people that have been alone and no one to hug them. I think of the times I have hugged the desperate, the sad, the lonely, and the depressed. I am glad that I was taught to hug them.

I think about the people that have been damaged by the wrong kinds of hugs and no longer want anyone to touch them…or hug them. This breaks my heart into pieces.

I think about all the people out there right now, that need a hug but have no one to hug them. This makes me sad. I hope a stranger hugs them today and they walk away feeling better.

Did you know….

Hugging is good medicine. It transfers energy, and gives the person hugged an emotional boost. You need four hugs a day for survival, eight for maintenance, and twelve for growth. A hug makes you feel good. The skin is the largest organ we have and it needs a great deal of care. A hug can cover a lot of skin and gives the message that you care. It is also a form of communication. It can say things you don't have words for. The nicest thing about a hug is that you usually can't give one without getting one.  Author Unknown

Even doctors recommend it…

A DOCTOR'S PRESCRIPTION FOR HUGGING:

by Mark Katz, M.D.

"How important are hugging and physical and emotional contact for people affected by life - threatening illnesses? In my work, I have found that people who receive nurturing maintain a better outlook on their situation -- and historically, positive attitude is an important factor in long-term survival. Hugging and physical contact, make a difference in a person's frame of mind, and may help their medical condition. Best of all, hugging has no side effects and does not require a trip to the doctor.

Hugging is a good thing!

hugging-permitted-copy

"Hugging is healthy: it helps the body's immunity system, it keeps you healthier, it cures depression, it reduces stress, it induces sleep, it's invigorating, it's rejuvenating, it has no unpleasant side effects, and hugging is nothing less than a miracle drug.

Hugging is all natural: it is organic, naturally sweet, it has no pesticides, no preservatives, no artificial ingredients, and is 100% wholesome.

Hugging is practically perfect: there are no movable parts, no batteries to replace, no periodic check-ups, has low energy consumption, high energy yield, is inflation-proof, non-fattening, has no monthly payments, no insurance requirements, is theft-proof, non-taxable, non-polluting, and is, of course, fully refundable."

-- Sharon Lindsey  -- 

I have no clue to who Sharon Lindsey is but I found this quote by her and thought she summed up the benefits of hugging quite well.

Whoever you are, Sharon Lindsey, thank you.

I wish that I could give each one of you a hug right now. Since I can’t…a virtual one will have to do.

((((((HUGS))))))

I hope each one of you, have at least one person to hug today. I hope you get in your quota of hugs before the day is through!

XXOO Lori

27 comments:

Jan said...

That video made me all teary-eyed, too. How could the authorities ban something like that?

We're a family of huggers too - at least once a day I'll grab Beloved or The Young One up in a bear hug and exclaim "Hugs are healthy!!" (something I've known for years).

Because there's really nothing much better than a good hug.

Jeannie said...

I think hugs are a wonderful invention. I acted out in less than beneficial ways when I was a teenager because my parents did not hug me. Not even when I was little. My sister and I later became huggers and forced them on our parents. My Dad is gone but my mother has become a hugger. My brothers are still uncomfortable with it.

I found that when my teens were the least lovable- when they raged and screamed and swore - they needed the hugs most. Maybe that's why so many people have trouble with their teens.

Buckeroomama said...

{{{Big hugs}} to you, too!

We're big on hugging in our family --especially little Z. :)

Brian Miller said...

loved the video! what a cool story!

virtual hug to you today!

we need more people willing to hug.

the boys are off school today so i got my hugs in as they crawled in bed this morning to watch cartoons on teh laptop.

hugs!

LPC said...

Must go hug RIGHT AWAY!

Busy Bee Suz said...

I did see this video before, but enjoyed it again. I am a big hugger too. That is why I always sign my notes with a hug. :)
Hugs, not drugs.
Happy Tuesday!!!

Bogey said...

What an inspiational post Lori. You made my eyes all wet. I'm a little shy on the receiving end lately, that's for sure. (Not counting the virtual hugs of course, which too, are very beneficial.) I have also ordered a couple of those 'Free Hugs' T'shirts. We will see what happens when I wear one of them around town. If you don't hear from me for awhile, they probably have locked me up. ((((BIG HUGS))) to you Lori for always seeing the best in everybody.

{BTW - I emailed you that Pork Chop/Apple recipe ;)}

Unknown said...

Thank you for sharing such a wonderful story. I was at BlogWorld Expo a conference in Vegas a few weeks back and a woman was giving out hugs. She was trying to reach 500.

Brittany said...

Bea-A-utiful post. I loved the video. I just got done saying today that I havent cried in a while.. well you broke me! I totaly started to tear up to this video.. thanks again mom :)

Brittany said...

P.s. Thanks for ALWAYS hugging us. :)

♥ Braja said...

I think hugs are wonderful. Yet at the same time, someone on a hugging mission can be incredibly selfish and intrusive.....I've often had people trying to hug me without any consideration for my own thoughts on the matter---doesn't that reek of self absorption to you? Sure hugging has it's place....but it might do huggers some good to learn sensitivity in hugging, not just ballistic hugging!

Lori ann said...

That was so sweet Lori, hugs (when mutual, like Braja said)are not just a loving thing but can be a healing touch too.

xo lori

mommytoalot said...

Fantatsic post!!
I love that video..i've watched several times..
Hugs are indeed wonderful...
Thanks for leaving such kind comments on my blog.
Happy Thursday to you too
xo

Joanna Jenkins said...

Awesome post! I've seen this video before but it's been a while and this was a fabulous reminder. Hugs are beautiful things. Thanks for sharing.
Hugs to you!
xo

Hilary said...

Beautiful post, Lori. I got all weepy through the video too. So odd to think that the campaign was banned. Funny how people are so uncomfortable with public affection. Thank you so much for sharing this video and your own personal thoughts. This is a keeper.. as are you. Hugs right back at you!

Anonymous said...

This has taken me some time to respond to. It deeply touches me. My mom was not a hugger. She sort of is now. She was not when I was in her care. She tells a story about when I was three and I would wake up in the night for a peanut butter sandwich and instead of sitting tired at the table with me she would sit in the rocking chair with me and doze. After many months of this she decided this was "stupid" so she just began putting me back into bed with the peanut butter sandwich so that she could go back to sleep. I stopped waking up for the sandwich. It was the hugging I needed for nourishment. She tells this story all the time as if she was triumphant in figuring out how to get a child to sleep through the night. We all need physical contact and children usually find a way to meet their needs. Adults don't. I struggle with being a different mom than mine was in this area. Thanks for the reminder Lori. This really touched me. Hugs to you!

larkswing said...

Great Post! Love the story behind the campaign - so touching. All of it so touching.

Karen (formerly kcinnova) said...

I am here thanks to Hilary at The Smitten Image. I appreciate how you collected all of those quotes about the importance of hugging. (I have loved that video for 3 years now!)
When my husband was deployed to Iraq, I was very aware of my need for hugs. I was blessed to have small children in my life (one of my own, and several friends) to grant many hugs. I also had adult friends who were huggers and weekly hugs at Sunday worship services. Those hugs satisfied my hunger for physical touch.

Now I'm going to be sure to hug my teenagers when they get home from school today.

Saz said...

Wonderful post...and yes l had heard the story but not the video...great message...for now, for the living, great hugs heal....if l grow old and no one hugs me...that would indeed be a living death.

congrats to you POTW!!

Anita said...

Hello, I found you at
The Smitten Image.
Loved the video. I'lll be sure to hug all of my family very tightly tonight!
Blessings.

blunoz said...

Thanks for sharing that video. It was very heartwarming. It reminded me of that short video called Validation on YouTube. I agree with the first comment from Jan - how could the authorities BAN hugging??? Outrageous.

Congrats on POTW!

Maria said...

Congrats on POTW mention.

Your post was wonderful!

Terrific in fact!

Zuzana said...

What a lovely poignant post, so deserved of the POTW mention.:)
The human touch is so vital to us; everything you mention here is so correct. I live my life having a long distance relationship and I miss being hugged on every day bases. Your post made me feel very hugged today. I am familiar with the clip you share, but it can never be seen too many times.
I love the perception of your blog, it feels very personal and inviting.

Finally, thank you so much for taking the time to stop by my place and for that very lovely comment you left.

Xo
Zuzana

Anonymous said...

Hugs make the world go round. We love hugs in my family.

Congrats for the POTW mention.

Anna Gates said...

I need a lot of hugs for the day. I hardly get them. I need them really bad.....

Unknown said...

I have learned that there is more power in a good strong hug than in a thousand meaningful words. See the link below for more info.


#hug
www.ufgop.org

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