free hugs

[Minouri]

have you guys seen this video?
http://us.video.aol.com/video.full.adp?pmmsid=1745301

I think sometimes we forget the powerful comfort found in a hug, especially if our life is full of human contact. Not everyone is so fortunate.

As a kindergarten teacher, I get hugged about a hundred times a day. They came out with rules about teachers not touching students.....but I've never turned down a hug yet. Kids visit me from all grade levels asking for a hug in the morning and I always comply.

A couple years ago a first year teacher came up to me and said that she saw me hugging kids...present and past....all the time. I asked her if it bothered her. She looked surprised that I had thought that and said, "No. On bad days I wanted to get in line and ask for one myself."

Her comment really touched me. For whatever reason she felt alone in her venture as a teacher. I gave her a hug and them some extra attention and she seemed fine after that.

And there is something about my job that makes me more huggable even with strangers. When I tell people I'm a Kindergarten teacher they smile and hug me. Parties. Yard sales. Church. I wonder if that is the magic of my job. I have a title that almost guarantees you that I will return your embrace.

Makes me wonder how many people would stop and hug that guy with his sign. I know I would. Would you?

[JennLM]

I posted it about a month ago but interestingly enough there was an update on what the video has done for him:

Here (http://news.aol.com/entertainment/music/articles/_a/free-hugs-pave-way-to-internet-stardom/20061025173809990001)

[Minouri]

Jenn, whoopsie.....didn't know you'd posted it. Just found it today and thought it was interesting.

[JennLM]

I think it's a great thing he did. It inspired many and makes you feel real good. There should be more people like him out there.

The update made me all mooshy all over again.

[Minouri]

I think there is also a famous female hugger in Asia? I think I saw a video on it way back when. Or maybe it was a man? People lined up in droves just to hug the person.

[Minouri]

was it this woman? http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200307/20030724_hug.html

[Minouri]

http://www.ammachi.org/amma/in-the-media/australian-media/2002-the-age.html

nope, I think it was this lady. But they both have the same idea.

[PasoJoy]

((((((( :D )))))))

[Carol Nelson]

Here's back at ya, Joy!!! ((((((( :D )))))))
Hugs are like smiles...they are infectious!!! What a lovely video! Minouri, you will be a teacher those children will remember! Bless you!

[Minouri]

Carol,

That's exactly why I don't turn down a hug. I remember my Kindergarten teacher well. I don't remember what she taught me (although since I can read and write she must have been ok), but I do remember that she was always happy to see me. Even when I was in 6th grade I would go up to her in the play yard and give her a hug and she always looked so happy to see everyone who did that.

My third grade teacher taught me that migraines are very painful and make grown women yell just to let off steam. But my kindergarten teacher taught me how wonderful it feels to be always warmly welcomed.

[pnalley]

OK, heres a different side of it.

I was raised in a family that didn't hug, or touch much.

When we joined APF (you old timers remember this). All the latino's (especially) as well as others demanded a hug. I never felt comfortable having other's hug me. But, I survived.

Then I moved from South Florida to the DEEP south. My husbands family, hugs. Still I never felt comfortable with just hugging.

Well, 25 years later I have learned that a hug is one of the best things you can give to a friend, as well as one of the best things you can get.

When a loved one dies, and there are no words to express your sorrow or empathy, a hug lets them know how you feel.

When someone gets married, or has a child, a hug tells how happy you are for them.

When someone needs to know you care, a hug says it all.

I envy those of you that work with children. They are so willing to show affection. Those of you that nurture our children must have a special place in heaven.

[ErinC]

Amen, ya! I can feel that!!!!

I have some of that wrapped up in my head !!!!

lots of good stuff, and some bad. they were ALL put here to teach us something.

thank GOD for Teachers. ;-)

[JennLM]

Paula I have a weird thing about being touched too.

My mom says as a baby I hated to be held or touched. Then a not nice situation as a kid being touched and as a teenager.

For me, If I give you a hug freely, it means I like you and the biggest compliment I can give.

[Ginger]

Being somewhat autistic, hugging is strange for me, too. Like Paula, our family (with the exception of the perverted redneck molesters of the family, that was) hugging wasn't done (BECAUSE of the association of bodily contact with perverted redneck molesters).

Dancing has been REALLY different. During instruction, we dance with same-sex partners to understand and develop the proper fundamentals of technique and styling, at parties, instead of sitting "a chair away", everyone's cloistered comfortably knee-to-knee chatting, we have hello and good-bye hugs, arm-pats, and my favorite- position adjustments of the hips, ribcage, legs, anywhere that should be somewhere it isn't. *sigh*

"I'm sorry, Mr. Foxybritches Fred Astaire Hot Young Teacher assistant... I've suffered temporary intelligence loss. Could you please show me that very simple move I already have done time and again, just ONE more time?"

"Why yes, Miss Only Natural Redhead with C-cups in the Studio, I'd be delighted!"

But prior to "falling in with this crowd", hugging was just creepy, even if I really liked/loved the person like a friend/family member. I hated myself for disliking something offered with love or affection from someone, because if they knew what it caused, their feelings would be hurt. Believe it or not, I don't actively *try* to hurt people's feelings, y'know? (Not until I have a valid reason. Then, bring your lunch.). Now, hugging, hand-shaking, sweaty wriggling in well-developed arms, contacting from the rib down to the pelvis and then from the thigh to the knee, trusting someone else with a portion of my weight or balance, and then a playful "assclap" for a party or dance that went really well, I don't mind. The only awkward moments we still have is that gentlemen will always come up and shake hands with the man, but extend a hand to the lady to invite them to dance. I'm like a poorly-trained labrador- I just stick my hand out and grin until they either tug or release. *shrug* Oh, well.

I still hate touching children, and in fact won't. These idiots who try to force a baby on me had better insure it, because yes, I will step back and let the moron drop it. Anyone who doesn't think any more of their child than to put it in MY hands doesn't need one anyway.

Never had a problem hugging horsies though. And speaking of- has anyone seen that Fur-Real Friends Butterscotch the Pony? Animatronic pony, about three feet high, real sounds, head-shaking, tail-swishing, I LOVE it! I WANT one! ... but not for three hundred bucks.