Making a Free Hugs video

[SMA]

OK, for out meet-up on Saturday in Toronto, providing the weather cooperates, Alex and I are thinking of making our own 'FREE HUGS' video, much like the one you can see on this page.

While I enjoyed the video immensely, the thought of making my own TERRIFIES ME.

I am putting this up here both to keep myself accountable as well as to get any advice you may have on keeping my cool while this event approaches...this puts me way out of my comfort zone, and I'd like to reach that mental place where I genuinely just want to love and hug strangers rather than worrying about my own fears. I want it to be FUN.

Any thoughts?

[Angela]

I think your anxiety is all in the anticipation, and as soon as you get your first hug you are going to laugh at yourself for having been anxious, you're going to feel so good.

Take a moment to close your eyes and relax, and project yourself out into the future, to 15 minutes AFTER the successful completion of your project, floating above it, and turn around and look back and down at that successful completion. Does it look different?

[Dukie]

You'll do great, Shauna! I'm looking forward to the video! Wish I could be there!

Here's a *hug* to get you started

[Bing Wu]

Shauna, are we making big poster signs for this or just smaller, letter-sized signs?

[SMA]

Answered via pm, but just for the record, whatever blows your hair back!

And congrats to Jack from Boston who is just going around hugging people...

[SMA]

Well, thanks so much Angela and Daan, for your encouraging words...it was quite an experience!

Alex really put himself out there heart and soul, with wide open arms and asking every person who passed if they wanted a hug. Even my daughter joined us once she saw how many fun hugs we were getting/giving, although I think she wanted to be in the video.

It was really interesting how people defied our expectations, and how many really good hugs we got. For every few people who thought we were nuts, there was a catch, or refused a hug, we got one or two really good hugs in, and overall it was enlightening (facing discomfort in sharing) and very rewarding.

Thank you, Alex, for being such a great spirit - I am proud to know you.

xo

Shauna

[Bing Wu]

Our FREE HUGS campaign was an AWESOME experience. I admit I felt a bit uneasy beforehand, but not really nervous since I knew we were just trying to connect with people and brighten their days.

I had made a letter-sized sign that I wore in a sheet protector around my neck. As soon as we stepped out onto the street, I started asking people passing by if they wanted a hug. I wouldn't normally be that outgoing, but simply the presence of Shauna and her daughter gave me a lot more courage. We had some early successes and then a string of rejections. It was hard sometimes to keep smiling when a series of people all said no to our gesture, but I noticed that if we offered to hug someone and extended our arms towards them (especially if they had a doubtful but curious look on their face), they were more likely to hug us.

I was also surprised how it was pretty easy sometimes to know who was going to hug us (they tended to look happier and more open), but sometimes even people who I would have bet wouldn't hug me in a million years took us up on our offer! It was really cool to see someone's face go from a frown into a smile. There were times when the sidewalk was crowded when a whole group of passersby stopped to give us hugs. People were more likely to want a hug if they see others doing the same

I estimate that >70% of people rejected hugs from us, but we had an awesome connection with the remaining 20-30%... it really brightened up everyone's day. Even people who didn't want a hug still got a kick out of watching what was going on.

The whole idea of getting out on the streets of Toronto was Shauna's idea, and I owe this amazing experience to her courage and imagination. Next up is doing a free hug day in Ottawa - I'm thinking of next weekend (Oct 31-Nov 1) in the Byward market, if anyone is interested. Otherwise, I highly recommend you consider doing something like this in your own city! I can't wait to see the video Shauna's putting together

[Angela]

What do you say to people who turn you down? Do you say something funny and positive, like, "We're hugging you in spirit!" or some other nice note to leave those people on? (And mostly so that YOU feel really good, even about the people who pass.)

[SMA]

Usually we jsut smiled at everyone whether they wanted the hug or not...the energy of *hugs* was still being sent, whether they accepted it or not.

What was really amazing was seeing my 12 year old daughter jump int othe fray...what a great day for her. We'll remember it always.

Bear with me, Alex, as I make the video - I have to convert, cut, re-convert then upload the files, then start pasting and editing and adding music...it's a work in progress.

xox