If you have never heard of the Free Hug phenomenon, here is a little ABC on how Free Hug started. Not to mention the power of YouTube. It is one of the most popular videos of ALL time on YOuTube, with over 27 Million views, as of this writing.

In His Words:

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.

The next thing you know, Free Hugs became a world wide phenomenon. Individuals in different cities of the world started using it in their own cities. Free Hugs New York, Free Hugs Milan, ETC.

=====================================

Wanna Say Something? Leave A Comment Then . . .

Quelques photos de Végétalizor sur les Champs Élysées avec son habit de pelouse. Toujours agréable de voir les gens sourires et être heureux. Il suffit pour cela d'un calin nature et de quelques fleurs.

RHR # 6

When did you last hugged your Father/ Brother/ Sister/ Son/ Daughter ?

If you are free from recapitulating it, tell me have you ever hugged some one stranger to you

When was the last time you gave someone a passionate warm real hug for absolutely no reason whatsoever?

If it's been a while, then make it today.

That's the challenge. A warm Hug! Of course absolutely anybody!

For any reason or no reason whatsoever

Click here if you want to be hugged, Know more and pass it on…

http://darmoweprzytulanie.pl/

www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr3x_RRJdd4

http://www.freehugscampaign.org/

I often stay online till very late and read what other people write just to get a more complex image in my head. I often see people blogging late at night, at 3 or 4 am when they should be sleeping.

Take Simon Cowell. Jeremy Clarkson said he's possibly the most rude person on television. You either love Simon Cowell or hate Simon Cowell, there is no 'meh' Simon Cowell. You hate him, you still watch him even if you think "I can't stand the bloody bastard". Hate one of his shows, you still watch him. If you like him you'll be watching him anyway. I don't believe in the "hostages of habit" category. There is no "I watch his shows out of habit."

I like people because

1. We like big numbers, they are always a powerful tool for impressing the masses, they take us out of our daily routine and montonous life. Big numbers or just numbers about things we're aware of, acknowledge their presence but never take enough time to think about them. When we're faced with them, we often dig deep inside ourselves and ask a few questions or just drift away for a few seconds or more, wondering about the meaning of life (the universe, and everything). Some numbers are meant to be big and scary to make us panic, react, "tease" our brain or just shock us. Some numbers have less of an impact on us and we'll be forgetting them in about three months from when we read about them. We like to read stuff like:

• “So far in 2007 there have been  40 million abortions worldwide”
• “50% of teengaers use an instant messaging program to say things they'd never say in real life and to overcome awkward social interaction.”
• “In the UK a billion text messages are being sent every week”

We are shocked because we know abortions happen yet we never know how many, no one will write an article in a newspaper at the end of the year saying 40 million potential lives have been cut off, we never know how many are teen pregnancies, how many were putting the mothers' lives in danger.

We are also intrigued because one in two teenagers on the street has told someone they're a pathetic loser or broke up with them online because they were too scared to say it in their faces.

And we think one billion text messages are A LOT while this time last year we were sending about 63 million a day. It's documnted by the BBC and I forgot to post a link. But they're numbers, pretty numbers.

2. We like scandal and I know a lot of people that 'suffer' from the disease of not reading whole articles on the subject of world politics today, about Darfur, Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestinians or Musharraf, global warming even. Things that might change the world as our children will know it in 30 years' from now but they will read 'Diary of a Manhattan Call Girl'. We like hot confessions, exhibitionism, people streaking during football matches, fake things. We read Fake Steve Jobs, Belle de Jour. We like Banksy too. Postsecret. We don't care whether they're authentic or not, whether Banksy is a real person or just many, it's either because they're the voice of things we could never say because we lacked the courage to or things we've never had but deeply wanted to. We like group hugs and we could relate to some of them.

"After a certain age, all people live under the impression that their boat has sunk, that they've missed their chance in life, that they've lived an idiotic, absurd existence - a life that couldn't have belonged to them, that must have been someone else's. Because we think so highly of ourselves and we can't believe that had we really have lived our life, it can't have been this stupid."

We hate news about accidents, bloody murders, girls gone missing, rape. Gruesome truths, but we're still reading them. We hate tabloids but they only feed on our curiosity.

J. Vorsthammer

3. We like conversation and we feel like we must have an opinion on everything. Whether we know what we're talking about or not. We like to know and do know a bit of everything and if we don't, we'll never admit to that. We're 100% sure of what we experience, encounter and we file it all under 'personal experience'. Mentalities are often hard to change and it's giving marketing people a considerably hard time trying to swerve us from our most stubbornly-held convictions. We'll never believe it until we see it. When we don't know who to blame, we will blame the person or thing that comes in most handy.

“The reader is always happy to discover something 'simple and precise' about something vague and well-known since high school or college. You must never surpass the reader's level of understanding. You don't want him to believe you gave up the "mystery" element and you're trying to input "culture", "history" or "erudition". Render the reader what is the reader's; a new name every three pages and three familiar names on every page : Jesus, St. Peter, Plato, Shakespeare, Goethe. This always impresses them. Your reader will be happy that he has just checked the outstretch of his knowledge. You must not trigger an inferiority complex in him by reminding him of things he doesn't know or have the patience to learn. This will always keep his morale high.“

We never doubt things when they appear to be real. The DaVinci Code sounds plausible. Since the information era and the Internet expansion we have started to believe we're more intelligent than everyone else around us and sometimes we brutally find out that there are smarter people out there.

4. We like it when we're right and we're being told that. When companies, brands, people don't insult our own intelligence, when everything is made easy. But not too easy.

J. Vorsthammer again

5. We hate uncertainty - we don't want to worry about tomorrow, next year, our jobs, our homes, our loved ones. We like insurances but we never know what to pick to cover whatever it is that we need. Our minds hate confusion and we don't like information anxiety - the difference between what we know and what we think should know. I'm going to an interview, what if they're expecting more of me? We hate dissonances between what we believe and what others want us to believe. We want to smoke but we're bombarded with bans, ads telling us it's our health in danger when we want to live our lives in our own way. We're looking for arguments to support our own theories and turn on our defence mechanisms, go into a stage of denial, refusing the idea of any contradiction in our minds. We're trying to convince ourselves that we're normal.

6. We like secrets and disguising our true motives. From tiny, innocent lies to 'end of the world as we know it' things if someone finds out.

“Many a young man starts in life with a natural gift for exaggeration which, if nurtured in congenial and sympathetic surroundings, or by the imitation of the best models, might grow into something really great and wonderful. “

7. We hate it when others know us better than we know ourselves. We can't stand advertising because it knows our habits and what makes us tick. We don't like disclosing information that might let others know us betters and we love privacy, ending with hating anything that could indirectly control our lives or end up doing so. We don't like participating in polls. We don't know the answer and if we do we won't disclose it. We don't like being categorised and fit into social clichés even if at a much larger glance, we could be part of one. We hate direct marketing, database marketing and anything that knows things about us. We want to live and die anonymously.  When we're told that the brands and products we use say a lot about who we are we're angry. We don't want to identify ourselves with a brand, we are unique individuals. We don't seem to mind that a lot of the trash our ancestors has produced tells us a lot of historical information as to what their habits were and possibly in 100 years from now scientists will be looking through our trash to see what our lives were like.

8. We want to belong, yet be different. We hate it when we do something and then all of a sudden someone's copying us, the anitque elites to masses flow. We give up on our old habits when everyone else adopts it. When all accountants will be buying Harleys because they want to project the image of a 'bad boy' we'll stop buying them. They'll stop saying something about us. It's not cool when the music only I listened to is being listened to by millions of others. A band was cool ages ago before they went mainstream and sold out to record companies and other things. I used to wear Burberry because it said posh, stylish, expensive, high class. I wanted to belong to a small group of people, an elite that would pay hard-earnt money for a trench coat with the Burberry novacheck. I've stopped buying it and wearing it when all the chavs did because I don't want to belong to something that doesn't say who I really am. People diverge! My BMW's value will fade when my neighbour buys an idenical car. If someone walks down the street and notices two identical cars, they'll never know who was the first to own one. Such is life.

People are wonderful!

Hug is a word related commonly to affection; by definition it means to press closely within the arms; to embrace or clasp to the bosom.

There are other words or definitions related such as to crowd together; to cuddle; to cling to; to cherish.
Perhaps the least related to affection might be for cower; to crouch or to curl up.

When we think about a hug we usually have immediate thoughts of clasp, close, together, bosom, closely, affection, arms, fast, press, or even wrestling.

So, what are the reasons you have to hug someone?

Have you heard of the Free Hugs Campaign?

This campaign markets free hugs as an icon of community and prosperity. They have branded the logo on clothing because they figured it is something people use.

The social experience company founded around 2001 is committed to promoting social value in order to transform people’ lives.

They organize festivals, charitable walks, corporate and school functions, and volunteering efforts to achieve their goal.

They aim their efforts to build bridges between people from all walks of life and are partners with various charities in order to raise money and awareness for their causes.

This group is making a difference around the world.

If you would like more information about what they are all about this is their website:
http://www.free-hugs.com/welcome.shtml

Let us know what you think about this campaign!! Have you encountered them or have any experience with them? Do you know of someone that has? The BIG Question: What is your personal comfort level with being hugged by strangers?

--

Free Huggers Around The World:

• Yomar (Yogizilla) - Free Hugs And The Need For Warm Connections
• Ange - Free Hugging In Melbourne, Australia

Hug Me In Cyberspace:

• Give Tatiana more hugs!

Get Your Own Cyber Hugs:

• http://www.toxin.org/cgi-bin/gethugs.cgi

Along comes the Free Hugs Campaign to chop away at those barriers that many of us have erected. I firmly believe that we could all use a hug in this day and age. Some cultures are strict about physical contact and, in some places, government forbid many types of public displays of affection - it's really a shame! Naturally, one must know their limits when matters of touch are concerned. Just like any marketing or communication in general, it is important to obtain the permission first. Once that door is open, let the warmth pour in!

We may not all have the tenacity and energy to go out there and hug random strangers, especially if you live in a generally-rude city, but why not give someone a hug today? Heck, even the walls need hugs...

I already know that some of us jaded, cynical folks may be thinking that this is just another viral marketing "scam" or some sappy, hippie publicity stunt. Believe me, it is not. I think there are many sourpusses in the world that could use a big hug right now; heck, we can all use a free hug! Just check out the Juan Mann Free Hugs video, the one that started it all, and tell me that your heart is not tugged on. I know I put a big smile and even got a little misty-eyed because it's good to see that, even as the world becomes a bit numb, there are still people that see the power in warm connections.

On Juan Mann's official free hugs site you may notice that there are some items for sale. The interesting phenomenom that takes place when someone attaches a monetized component to a good cause is that people begin to acknowledge the movement as a "sell out" and they lose all of their belief factor. Sadly, I think people do not understand that, when someone dedicates themselves to a greater cause, bills still need to be paid so why not get behind something that is truly worthwhile? I believe that someone's passion should always bolster the belief of themselves and others around them. It is that passion that becomes a viral message in itself and helps AMPLIFY any message thereof.

The Free Hugs Campaign is awesome on many levels. It is a beautiful cause that can very well make a difference in the lives of many. Right now, there is someone that YOU know looking for a hug or some sort of attention, some affection without any conditions or pressure. I had a good buddy of mine, Luke, commit suicide recently so, when I saw just how many people got behind this Free Hugs movement, including my newest buddy, Ange, I couldn't help but get a bit sentimental. No one ever sees suicide coming but, if you ask me, we all have a breaking point and, without the warmth of real human interaction, that breaking point can be reached quite easily, resulting in suicide and other tragedies.

This is one of those rare cases where viral and buzz marketing are amplifying a message that everyone needs to hear. The buzz surrounding this campaign is very much justified. Usually, I try to avoid bandwagon trends but I had to share my thoughts on this, especially for those that may not be receiving this idea with an open mind. I don't believe in idolizing people per se but I definitely admire Juan Mann for what he has started here. I know that, for me, being able to help people through my articles, books, blogs, podcasts, and other creative works makes it all worthwhile, no matter how tough it gets. I know there are many people out there that are trying to share their powerful messages and perhaps it is getting tough because the financial needs come into play, causing the rules of interaction to shift.

For marketers and business people all around the world, the lesson here is simple: if you want to be noticed, try being human. What makes us human is the capacity to love the way no other creature on our planet loves, to act of free will, and to share expressions that are unique to our species. Why is it that, with so many ways to express ourselves, we limit human communication to the superficial, cliche methods? Juan Mann's campaign tells everyone to break out of their shell and just go for it because, no matter how many people will reject, there will be those that will welcome you, literally, with open arms!

If you're into personal development I'd say that watching the Juan Mann Free Hugs video regularly will help you hone in on the one thing we could probably all stand to become better at: showing warmth to those we interact with every day. I tell you, a simple pat on the back or a hand on the shoulder goes a long way, just like a warm, genuine smile coupled with a firm, enthusiastic hand shake can literally turn someone's life around 180 degrees. Just look at the classic story of a marketer and sales person gone from rags to riches: Mary Kay. Here is a woman that could not afford the food at her company's business convention yet she made the effort to mingle and really connect with people. When she shaked her company president's hand and said "next year, I will be your #1 salesperson", he didn't shrug her off and laugh to himself like many would have; instead, he empowered her by returning the eye contact, the firm handshake, the smile, the warmth of her communication.

The president of Mary Kay's company at the time gave her the power she needed to go on. His belief sparked her passion, which is why belief and passion are a powerful kinetic force when combined. Belief and passion harness the energy of warm connections and unleash it as compelling balls of inspiration and productivity! We spend so much time seeking fulfillment and true happiness yet it is as simple as following your heart and doing what makes you truly passionate, while touching those around you and helping them do the same.

Few things are as viral as the warmth of a passionate person. This is why the personal development industry has become bigger than ever. In the mid-80s, we only saw about 300 books in the "self-help" industry published, at least insofar as the business context is concernd but, only years later, that amount multiplied five to seven times over. Today, there are tons of workshops, seminars, books, blogs, and other great resources that all say the same thing in the end: be real, be warm, and just go out there doing the little things that really connect you with others!

Juan Mann may not have intended to start a huge trend but he did, simply by being passionate and authentic in all his marketing methods. Viral messages are powerful because they become their own amplifier. Here is a simple message: free hug. You get a free hug, you love it, you pass it along to others that will do the same. Pure brilliance.

I tell you: after many business events, especially the huge national conventions that all sales and marketing teams seem to have, I've learned to pick out the real winners just by how they shake hands and hug. The greater the warmth and the more natural (less forced, staged, or insincere) it is, the greater the impact and longevity of the connection is. I can remember all my best hugs but hand shakes, speeches, and even some kisses are long forgotten. The reason for this is that actions that are "self-contained" carry greater authenticity. Many human actions lead to other things, are bundled with other actions, or are just done as part of a hidden agenda, ulterior motives being the driving force and not the action itself.

Juan Mann came back to his homeland after having his life go into shambles. Something inside him clicked and made him think "I can use a hug and I am sure there are others that can as well - I must find them!" This is at the heart of truly-effective marketing: you identify an existing group, rather than loosely-define or try to create one, and you go out there and try to connect!

Business lessons aside, this is an inspiring day in human history. As we all know, tomorrow, September 11th is the day we remember our fallen heroes, friends, and family. I believe that, instead of wallowing in sorrow, we should appreciate those with us right now and make the best out of this lifetime, starting this very moment. Whatever troubles you, forget it for a moment. We all have problems and they will always be there - that's what keeps life interesting - but warmth is something we cannot go on without. It's built into our genetic code and spirits. Showing someone you care about them, even with something as simple as a hug, is a way of validating them and saying "You matter in the world." Sometimes, that is what we all need to realize our full potential.

I hope that, after checking out the many blogs and videos revolving around Free Hugs Day, you may participate today or at least remember to share a little warmth every now and then. You never know who's life you may save (it may be your own). Hugging can save businesses, families, dates, and so much, as far-fetched as that may seem to some. It was the hugging initiative that gave Juan Mann new hope when he had no one or nothing else to turn to. Imagine returning home, only to be a stranger lost in the masses. He persevered and is now happier than ever. We may not all be able to turn our need and love for affection into a business but that doesn't make it any less important. I, for one, am of the belief that, if you make friends wherever you go, your life will always be significant and success will come naturally to you. As popular Anime character Naruto would say at this point... Believe it, dattebayo!

BTW, Ange, thanks for sharing your wonderful blog with me. I feel blessed to have met you! You're awesome! You guys should check out her blog, Buzzing With Ange, for her assorted flavors of deep thoughts, business advice, inner beauty, and warmth. It's a great blog, folks! You can also find us both on StumbleUpon so be sure to join in on the fun!

[ Share This Article: StumbleUpon | Technorati | De.licio.us ]

--

Free Huggers Around The World:

• Tatiana - Everyone Could Use A FREE Hug!
• Ange - Free Hugging In Melbourne, Australia
• Me (Yogizilla) - Free Hugs & Miscellaneous Warm Communications
  

Hug Me In Cyberspace:

• Give Yogi more hugs!

Get Your Own Cyber Hugs:

• http://www.toxin.org/cgi-bin/gethugs.cgi