The Free Hugs Campaign was started in Australia in 2004 by a man with the pseudonym of Juan Mann. Hugs are offered to strangers in public places, and are meant to be a random act of kindness. While feeling depressed and lonely at a party in 2004, a stranger came up to Mann and hugged him. He said, “It made me feel like a king.”
Love this video of free hugs, abracci gratis, in Sondrio, Italy. At first people seemed suspicious, but once the ice was broken, there was real joy and connection.
Free Hugs Day is celebrated on the first Saturday after June 30. Have you ever seen someone carrying a sign that said, “Free Hugs?” Did you walk away or go for it?
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Hello, I just found your blog from Michelle's at Bleeding Espresso and am loving reading it. Have tears in my eyes from the Free Hugs video…thank you for connecting my heart and soul together. A BIG hug for YOU!
Pam, thanks for stopping by. I love this hugging video too. I'm getting ready for my Italy Retreat in Cinque Terre this September. Stay tuned for the journey in my posts.