Change the world one hug, smile, or . . . at a time
One of my favorite quotes is from Marianne Williamson:
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
This inspiring video from YouTube shows what can happen when we step through that fear and offer whatever it is we have to offer the world. This gentleman, Juan Mann, simply wanted to offer hugs to others because, as he said in an interview, “…everyone just seemed so miserable. So I thought I’d try to do something to just see people smile and cheer up a little bit.” So here’s what happened. (Turn on your speakers to hear the music.)
So that’s one man’s story. Now it’s over to the rest of us. What is our version of the “free hugs?” What will we do today to gift the world by our presence? Perhaps you can offer a kind word, an apology, a favor for someone in need, a listening ear, a welcoming smile, an inspiring email message (thanks to my friend Rose, that’s how I learned about this video!), or something else that feels right to YOU. I’d love to know what unique version of “free hugs” you decided to give.
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That was so awesome. thanks for sharing!
Comment by Domestic Goddess — October 3, 2006 @ 1:42 pm
It Only Takes Juan Mann…
Yes, it’s true ladies and gentlemen. It only takes one man. According to Jill Scott, one is the magic number.
I first saw this video on Creating a Better Life. Today I saw another mention on Lavender Log. I’m spreading the love today with t…
Trackback by Balanced Life Center — October 5, 2006 @ 8:31 pm
Awwwww I do that all the time too! When I went to the Tony Robbins Seminar last week, I must have hugged like 300 different people over the weekend! When I hug people, I don’t just hug, I pick them up to so they feel truly lifted! :p
Comment by Amit — October 10, 2006 @ 10:38 am
[…] Back in October of 2006, I wrote about Juan Mann who offered free hugs to others because, as he said in an interview, “…everyone just seemed so miserable. So I thought I’d try to do something to just see people smile and cheer up a little bit.” The post about Juan’s free hugs also includes a moving video of the response to his hugs. Though the hugs seemed to produce wonderful results for the hugger and huggie, authorities were not pleased (maybe because they didn’t allow themselves to be hugged). Now it seems that hugs have undergone another attack by people who don’t want any more affection being shared. An Illinois middle-school student received detention because she hugged two classmates. Yes, hugging people is against this school’s policy. […]
Pingback by Hugs are bad for you (not!) — November 13, 2007 @ 4:19 pm