| FREE HUGS. What image comes to mind when | | | | hugs. I received hugs, not only gave them. I too |
| you read this phrase? What would you do if | | | | was being touched physically, mentally and |
| someone approached you with a sign saying "Free | | | | emotionally. I could feel my heart opening. I asked |
| Hugs"? Imagine what it would be like to give and | | | | myself when the last time I received hugs for |
| get free hugs. What effects would these hugs | | | | two hours was. I couldn't remember one time. I |
| have on you and others? Could hugs be used to | | | | was being touched and cherished during those |
| improve relationships? Improve health? Heal | | | | hours of hugging as I was touching and cherishing |
| emotional wounds? Change politics? Create | | | | others. I felt recharged, energized and happy. I |
| compassion and understanding? Here's my story | | | | made heart contact with people. |
| about free hugs and their affects. | | | | This experience was recorded in the memories of |
| The "Free Hugs" video (You can find it on inspired | | | | the inhabitants of Oaxaca in photos in the |
| a group of 20 people in Oaxaca, Mexico, (where I | | | | newspapers, conversations on the radio and |
| live) to go out and give free hugs. We weren't | | | | personal conversations by those who gave and |
| affiliated with any social, political or religious group. | | | | received hugs, and those who only heard about it. |
| We were going out to give "free hugs" because | | | | This "touching" experience (no pun intended) is a |
| we liked the video, because the people in Oaxaca | | | | wonderful sign of the value of hugging. People |
| during the political conflict that existed in 2006 | | | | were impressed and delighted with the positive |
| needed a hug, and because it resonated with | | | | effect it had. It is a beautiful experience to give |
| something deep inside of us. | | | | hugs to total strangers. It reminded me that we |
| We gathered together with our signs "Free Hugs" | | | | are ONE, all part of the family called humanity. |
| or "I'll give you a hug," then walked down the | | | | Hugging can be very healing. It is different than |
| main pedestrian walkway in Oaxaca City to the | | | | other energetic healing modalities because hugging |
| Zocalo (Central Square). At first I felt strange just | | | | is something that anyone can see, feel and |
| like the looks people gave me when they saw | | | | experience. I love energy work, but many people |
| my sign. Who was I to be giving them a hug? | | | | haven't grasped how energy work based on |
| How would they react? | | | | spirituality plays out in the physical world. Hugs |
| I gave hugs to anyone I encountered: kids, | | | | bring the spiritual and physical worlds together in a |
| parents, couples, singles, young and old walking | | | | delightful fashion. These hugs were energy that |
| down the street, workers in shops, street | | | | became tangible. They made spirituality tangible. I |
| vendors, teachers, politicians and more. To give | | | | highly recommend it. |
| hugs to complete strangers is a unique sensation. | | | | What could we heal with hugs? Could we heal a |
| There is an awkwardness and distrust that | | | | hurt, the pain from a sarcastic word, loneliness, |
| appears at first, and then shifts as the hug | | | | sadness, fear, anger, hate, despair, illnesses, and |
| transpires. Yet, each hug was special. Some | | | | conflicts? Wouldn't you prefer to give a hug |
| people would smile and walk by. Some people | | | | instead of responding with anger and rejection? |
| wanted a hug but were too afraid to receive one. | | | | How much conflict could you resolve by giving |
| Others would hesitate then shyly or uncertainly | | | | hugs? Maybe we can't heal all wounds with a hug, |
| receive a hug if I went up to them. Some hugs | | | | but it sure is a nice place to start. Go ahead; give |
| were tentative, shy and uncomfortable, others | | | | yourself a hug each day. Your body will thank you |
| were light and free. A few people came to me | | | | for it. Hug a friend, parent, spouse, partner, |
| with arms outstretched. One woman called me | | | | neighbor, child or pet. Hug someone when you |
| over asking for hugs for her and her friends. | | | | feel good and especially when you don't. Go |
| Some even gave a kiss on the check. Many hugs | | | | ahead, give it a try. See how it feels. See how |
| were deep, intense, enveloping and loving. Some | | | | your hugs affect you and those who receive |
| hugs were filling needs for touch, for compassion, | | | | them. |
| for understanding. Others were recharging | | | | Go to my website to receive my gift to you, an |
| depleted energy and receiving acceptance to | | | | EFT script and audio for peace in English or |
| those feeling beaten down or misunderstood. | | | | Spanish. Click on the following link to view it and |
| Other hugs were for fun. Looks of gratitude | | | | or download it. Click Find the Light Withinto enter |
| came, smiles, tenderness, softening and joy. A | | | | the site. For English click on the icon EFT Scripts |
| connection formed as we touched. Every person, | | | | Audios, for Spanish click on Escritos/Audios de |
| whether receiving a hug or only observing, smiled. | | | | EFT. |
| This impressed me. What a transformation! | | | | Let's spread peace by creating it within each one |
| I was changed in that that 2 hour period I gave | | | | of us and then sharing that peace. |