September 14-16, 2007 I got first wind of the free hugs campaign last month. My friend showed me the YouTube video of the first one done in Sydney. The main character, who goes by the name Juan Mann, walked through a busy street holding a cardboard sign above his head; on it painted in bold black letters were the words FREE HUGS.
I watched with bemused curiosity as this guy pressed on alternately being ignored and receiving odd looks from everyone he passed by. The first hug came from an old lady so tiny that Mann actually had to get down on his knees to wrap his arms around her. Hugs streamed in after that; plenty of laughter, several cops, and one or two genuinely tearjerker moments – all in all a heartwarming several minutes spent on YouTube.
Yes, these are the days of growing cynicism and social disconnectivity. It seems we’ve welcomed them like we’ve welcomed reality TV; we eat them up whole, no questions asked. And it often takes more than your typical hallmark moment to break through our protective armors, or to even be noticed at all.
But surprisingly, even for a considerably un-sappy person like myself, seeing people hug and be hugged really struck an emotional nerve. All the signs were there: Throat constricting (check), eyes welling up (check), nose puffy and pink (check), strong and desperate desire to look away so as not to be caught in the midst of choking back tears (check) – definitely emotional nerve striking there.
So when said friend told me and a couple others that she wanted to hold her own free hugs campaign here in Manila, and asked us to join her; I thought: why not? When was the last time I got a hug? And why has it been so long anyway?
When was the last time you got a hug?
Two days before Operation Free Hugs and I have to admit, I’m excited but also incredibly anxious. Lately (due mostly to what seemed like a logical plan to develop my hugging prowess), I have begun to give hugs to those dearest to me. For a long time non-hugger like me, It’s not easy or all that comfortable – but it really does feel wonderful once you start and I think I’m getting the hang if it.
We all need to be reminded that we possess a bottomless barrel of affection we can give away. And to do so doesn’t take anything away from us. A hug is one of the most common and universal sign of love, affection, comfort and support – and it’s free. I’m writing this today in the hopes that others will be inspired to go out with their own FREE HUGS signs and help spread the word.
Anonymous
A big thank you to Team Manila for designing a FREE HUGS postcard in support of the movement. You can find the postcards on YOCard standees around Metro Manila.
Please visit their website for more details:
www.yocardonline.com
www.teammanila.com
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