Saturday, June 7, 2014

A Simple Story: A Profound Impact.

June 7,2014
Dear Friend,

Last week we started our journey with the conceptual definition of a hug.  This week I am going to provide a specific hugging story that impacted my life 5 years ago.
            I was walking up and down Michigan Ave giving away free hugs in Chicago.  There was a woman who was sitting outside of the Art Institute of Chicago who opened her arms for a hug.  I walked up to her and we embraced.  As I was walking away, she shouted after me, “Keep it up, You’re saving lives!” Who knew a hug could have so much power?  A simple hug from a stranger impacted her life.  The courage to go out and be vulnerable, to show love to a complete stranger through a hug, impacted her life that day.  Her courage to shout after me that bit of encouragement changed my life forever. 
            It is this moment in time that lives in my mind forever.  It gives me hope and courage when I feel hopeless.  It tells me that I have an impact, even when it seems like I am having no impact.  It shows the power of a hug can impact lives.  I have never seen this person again, I don’t know where she is now but I know that she is the reason that I am who I am today.  We tend to take the power of a hug for granted sometimes, but I just wanted to remind you the power of a hug, the great impact that it can have on a life. 
            I didn’t take this hug for granted.  I saw the power of that hug.  The reflection after the hug helped to bring forth the full impact of that hug.  I hope that you will take a few moments the next time you hug someone, to reflect on that hug, to understand it’s impact on how you are feeling.  That reflection is crucial to the overall hugging experience.  And when you do, be sure to share your story with us here!

Hugs,
David

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