Free Hugs

Have you ever heard of the Free Hugs campaign? After the "Dave Matthew Band" provided the original for the mission in their music video for the song "Everyday" in 2001, the Canadian Juan Mann brought the idea to the people for the first time in 2004.

How a free hug enchanted me

A few years ago, I had no idea of ​​this Free Hugs campaign. I still went to school and always had to go through the city center on my way home. You could experience curious and special moments again and again. But I had never seen before what I found that day. The inner city of my home town is strictly pedestrian. However, people tend to stick to the edge of the road, as the tram runs in the middle. So I went past all the shop windows and just wanted to go to the stop where my tram leaves when I saw several people with cardboard signs in their hands. On them "Free Hugs" was written in big letters. And although the benefactors seemed so sympathetic and open-hearted, almost all the people went past them in irritation and disapproval. However, this scenario fascinated me. What was the reason for their action? As I would describe myself as a spiritual, open-hearted, and emotional person, I dared to go there without thinking about it, and slowly approached the young man in front of me. There I stood, looking at him with a surprised and happy smile. When he realized that I was going to take up his offer of a free hug, he also started to smile and was really happy. He opened his arms and let me into his heart. And so we stood and hugged each other for a while. "Nice to have you on this planet!" he said and I felt an incredibly honest and loving warmth emanating from him that filled my heart and energized me. There was a person who was a stranger to me in my arms and who moved me deeper than some people I have known for a long time. And he didn't even really talk to me! We just stood there and felt kind of a divine and spiritual love I guess!

When we let go, I asked him what the motivation for this action was. He explained to me the background which I mentioned above, and that the goal is to bring more love and connectedness into the world, since we are all one. I was immediately excited by this wonderful idea! This beautiful and unexpected hug had truly enchanted me. I really wanted to pass on this impulse, this bonfire of interpersonality!

How I made a lot of people smile

I passionately enjoy listening to Goa and Psytrance music and going to the suitable rave parties. To me the wonderful thing about this scene are the incredibly open and warm-hearted people that you can meet there. Often it feels as if even strangers know each other forever and you grow together hour by hour to a large family and get lost together in the music. The atmosphere is truly magical! A perfect moment to test a Free Hugs action, I thought.

So I went to different people, opened my arms and said smiling "Free Hug!". The feedback was overwhelming and indescribably beautiful. Within a second, most of them started to smile and aglowed with happiness as well and opened their arms so we could embrace each other. Most of them were very surprised but incredibly positive moved. Many said enthusiastically "You made my day!" Or "What a great action!". The bond between us strangers grew extremely and it created a very loving atmosphere among the hugging people. And the best of all is that I had inspired a few party guests who joined in and hugged their fellow humans as well. The feeling was so special that it touches me to this day. The beauty that emanated from each of these smiling, loving souls was like medicine for the stressed soul of everyday life.

Last summer I was at a music festival where people of all cultures, skin colors, religions and interests met. A place where 10,000 people were like a big family. A truly wonderful place for a Free Hugs action! I danced myself until I reached kind of a trance in the midst of these wonderful people, feeling the living and loving energy that floated on the dance floor and the night air in my face. So I dared and went to some of the people around me. "Free hug!" I said smiling and opened my arms. Almost all of them wanted a hug and were enthusiastic and grateful with the positive vibes this action brought to the people on the dance floor. Some of them told me it was exactly what they needed and that was an indescribable feeling to me! I hugged people from 16 to 75 years. Germans, Moroccans, Israelis, Chinese, Belgians. Organizers, shop owners, unemployed people, students, bankers and shamans. The feeling was breathtakingly beautiful. Everything else that separated us, the whole everyday life and all the labels society gives to us were just not there anymore. At that moment, we were all a loving consciousness sharing the night with each other and getting lost in the magic of a hug. When I came home after the festival, I had collected infinitely valuable moments. Many of the embraces led to profound conversations, shared dancing or joint meditation. I still benefit from this deep, honest and spiritual love that I have experienced. And one thing I know for sure: The next summer and the next festival can come! And with it also the next hugs!

I just wanted to share this action with you, because even though it may seem unfamiliar with today's usual restraint and mistrust, it is an incredibly beautiful way to connect with our fellow human beings. I would never want to miss these experiences again and I wish you from all my heart that you too will feel this magic one day.

Spread some good vibes in the world and love your fellow human beings. It is a rewarding investment!

Feel hugged,

yours Linda

P.S.: As often, the pictures used in this post are from the website pixabay.com. Thank you very much for your support! :)