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Free Hugs

Today I went out to Phoenixville to help my friend Melissa give out free hugs and carnations.  It was actually a lot of fun.  I had no idea what to expect.  I wasn't sure if maybe we'd get arrested or shot or shivved.  Or if people would yell at us.

Most people were just like... "What is the meaning of this?  And what are you trying to sell me?"

But some people were into it.  Some people were like WOOOOO free hug!  There were a couple of moments where it really made me smile.  Some parts where people jumped up out of their seats to run to us.  Other moments where an elderly lady was overtaken with the flowers we gave her and she said that it made her day.

Some people wanted to take photos with us.  Others just thought it was fun or cool.  The moment that really struck me was outside of Bistro on Bridge.

We happened upon some people there.  One lady moved behind this one guy... And she made a signal that he wasn't someone that should get a hug.  Why?  Who knows.  What... Was he from the streets?  Smelly?  On drugs?  Drunk?  Going to try and steal from us?

We disregard her 'warning' and hugged him anyways.  Obviously... It went fine.  He thanked us for the hug.  We gave him a flower and a smile.  And went on our way.

Whatever the reason this man did not deserve a hug to this other woman... Was exactly the reason why he DID deserve a hug.  If he was deemed unhugworthy to someone else because of some possible reason that maybe he was some creep from the streets...

That's EXACTLY why he deserved one.  Because the idea behind giving free hugs isn't that some people are worthy of getting a hug and some aren't.  It's that EVERYONE is worthy of one.  Regardless of any label that anyone could possible think up to place on a person.

It was definitely a very interesting experience.  TO me it felt... Amazing.  Just to walk around and give out hugs and flowers for no reason?  To experience the reactions that people express.  Some people just aren't huggers.  Which is fine, they don't do well with contact with strangers.  Personal space is different for each person.  And that's fine.  Obviously we just walked around with the signs and let people approach us.  If you didn't want a hug or a flower... Or possibly a high five or a handshake... You didn't have to get one.  It was up to the people.

Some of the conversations we experienced were that people were amazed we didn't have a reason or agenda behind our actions.  There were a couple of people that just thought it was beautiful and the world could use more of it.  And that was the exact mission behind it.  Just... To raise awareness.  Just to break people out of their sleepy daydream lives and make them think about others around them.  Or just to say hey... Are you TRUELY happy with your life?  The idea that something little like a random hug or a flower can actually brighten someone's day.

It was pretty cool.  And it went off without a hitch.  Everyone had a good time.  We ended the day at Molly Maguire's and had a beer.  After that I went on a run and to the store.  All in all... It was a pretty fine day.