Free Hugs
This is such a beautiful video. Makes me think there’s still some good left in this world after all. Be sure to check out the Free Hugs Campaign website.
Posted: November 10th, 2007 under Thoughts.
Comments
Comment from jeff
Time 2007/11/12 at 8:44 am
This is strangely touching (no pun intended). Thanks for posting it.
Comment from Eloprah
Time 2007/11/13 at 4:21 pm
Would you really want to hug a random guy like that? I would be afraid – very, very afraid.
Comment from Jed
Time 2007/11/13 at 5:03 pm
Unfortunately, Eloprah, I think the majority of us share your fear. I know I do. I’m often too afraid to show my feelings… too afraid to reach out to people in ways that are meaningful to them.
But random people need love too! What impresses me the most about this video is the way that the “free hugs guy” dealt with his inner pain. At that point in his life, things were going really bad and he was wishing that someone cared about him enough to reach out to him in some way (even a simple hug would’ve meant a lot to him). But instead of giving in to self-pity, he decided to reach out to others.
Comment from Eloprah
Time 2007/11/15 at 11:10 pm
It’s not that I would be afraid to show my feelings – with that, there is nothing wrong. As a female, however, I think it would be wrong to have some strange male hugging me. I hug my mom and female relatives and friends; not guys, and certainly not strangers.
Comment from Bethany Wheeler
Time 2007/11/18 at 7:38 am
I agree with Elophra. I loved the movie and the idea behind it, but I can’t promise that I would participate in the actual ‘hug’ part.
That’s why, for the last several years, I have done my own ‘free smile’ campaign. When I’m in public, I try look someone in the eye and smile at them. Joy is contagious, and smiling is too. I get many different responses, some people immediately grin back at me and continue on grinning for several minutes and begin grinning at strangers too (woohoo). Others look confused and unsure and do a semi-smile and leave looking contemplative. Some look momentarily shocked and then recover in time to smile back appreciatively. Some just look grumpy (I don’t get those guys).
Anyway, whether you feel lead to hug or smile or whatever, I think these things can be a really small part of letter our light shine before men.
Thanks for posting the great movie, Jed. I want to start hugging my family and smiling to the world a lot more often, now.
Comment from Eloprah
Time 2007/11/18 at 6:49 pm
Yeah, I’ve been doing the “smile” thing all the time around campus. The responses I get are very interesting. About half the people ignore me. I haven’t yet figured out if more guys or girls smile back…..I also want to start conversations with random people about random things. Or sit beside random people. You know, go into the cafeteria when it’s nearly empty, and sit beside someone. That can be fun. I haven’t done it yet, though.
I fear rejection. 
And failure.
And boys.
Comment from Jed
Time 2007/11/22 at 10:47 am
Sorry I haven’t responded in a while. 
Here are my replies to the last three comments (in order)…
Thanks for all your great thoughts, everybody!
Eloprah, Personally I don’t see anything wrong or inappropriate with hugging someone of the opposite sex. I find it sad that western culture has turned so many otherwise-harmless things into something dirty. However, I understand and respect your position as well. Actually, I hardly ever hug females, because I realize that many people share your views, and I don’t want to offend anyone (1 Corinthians 10:32).
Ms. Wheeler… well said. This is exactly the point of the movie! It’s not necessarily about hugging people, it’s about reaching out and showing love to strangers (hugging just happens to be the way this guy went about doing that). I like your idea about a Free Smile Campaign
Eloprah, glad to hear about your Free Smile Campaign as well! When someone randomly smiles at me on campus, it totally makes my day! Unfortunately, that doesn’t happen very often. You need to transfer to Iowa so I can see your smiling face more often! For now, I guess I’ll just have to settle for virtual smiles
Oh, and Eloprah, you don’t have to fear boys! We aren’t too bad once you get to know us
Again, everyone… thanks so much for the comments!!!
Comment from Josiah
Time 2007/11/11 at 8:01 pm
Wow. It’s a shame I never learned how to hug people. Here are some for you:
OOO