Halfway There!

Day 19:  13 Mindful Hugs
Day 20:  9 Mindful Hugs

257 Hugs so far!  As Day 30 approaches, I'm beginning to think that I may not make it to 500 hugs.  I have found that mindful hugging, both physically and mentally, is exhausting.

Weekend Hug Update

Day 16:  21 Mindful Hugs

Day 17:  7 Mindful Hugs
Day 18:  4 Mindful Hugs

That is all for now.

Beware the Bear Hug

Day 15:  15 Mindful Hugs

Today someone told me that I give really good hugs.  This was somewhat surprising to me since I still don't consider myself much of a hugger.  I hadn't actually thought about the quality of my hugs other than applying the 3 breath principle.  I don't add the back pat, the side-to-side sway, the creepy back rub, or the unnecessary bear-hug squeeze.  I give regular hugs that happen to last a little longer.  By the way, it takes a long damn time to breathe three breaths.

My focus during the hugs has strictly been on the 3 breaths and noticing the physical sensations of relaxation (slowed heart rate, muscular relaxation) during each hug.  While focusing on the physical and mental aspects of hugging, I have completely been ignoring the emotional component of hugging.  Now I hear the voice of my meditation teacher saying, "Isn't that interesting?"

Some of the hug recipients have expressed an emotional response of feeling warm and fuzzy, but it has not been my experience.  This hugging meditation is again presenting me with another teachable moment.  For the second half of this experiment, I will continue focusing on the physical sensations and mental focus on the breath, and I will be open to noticing if any emotions begin to arise.

Hugs Are Better Than Shrugs

Day 14:  18 Mindful Hugs
Week 2 = 188 Mindful Hugs

I've made it through the second week for a total of 188 hugs in 14 days!  I actually can't believe that I've stuck with this for two weeks.  A lot of people have been asking me why I'm doing this, and I just shrug and say "why not?".  Here's what I've learned over the past 2 weeks of my Hugging Meditation Experiment:

• Most people really do want a hug.
• Hugs make people feel better, even if it's just a little better for just a little while.
• Children seem to hug each other naturally and often.
• If I hug someone in a busy public place, strangers in those places will likely ask me to hug them, too!
• More people are aware of my project and are eager to help me reach my goal of 500 hugs in 30 days.
• I notice that I am more present throughout my day when I take the time to be really present during each hug.
• I have been more productive and creative in my work.
• I have more energy throughout the day and I find that I don't need as much sleep.  I'm not sure if that's related to the hugging, but thought it might be worth mentioning.

I recently read an article about Teddy McHuggin, a man who broke the world record for giving the most hugs in 24 hours.  He gave 7,777 hugs in 1 day and gave over 700 hugs in the first hour.  Kudos to Mr. McHuggin.  I wonder if he was really present with each of the people he hugged.  And no, I do not intend on breaking his record.

Hugs, Not War

Day 13 : 14 Mindful Hugs

I will not play at tug o' war
I'd rather play at hug o' war,
Where everyone hugs
Instead of tugs....
~Shel Silverstein

Enough said.

Hug Someone Today

Day 12:  14 Mindful Hugs

As I near the half-way mark of this Hugging Meditation experiment, I am beginning to feel more compassion towards myself.  It makes it a little easier to be more open with other people.

Today's adventure led me to the Ligmincha Institute at Serenity Ridge.  My friends and I were invited to Serenity Ridge to tour the facilities and learn more about the Ligmincha Institute.

We stopped along the way at a country store.  While we were looking around a man came over to us and started up a conversation.  It turns out that he used to be incarcerated.  When he completed his sentence, he decided to make it his mission to bring happiness to other people.  Every day, he can be found in the middle of an intersection on the highway waving to people who drive by.  He has done this for decades.  I know because I remember seeing him on many occasions, even when I was a child.  He says that if he can make one person smile, he has done a good job.

I am starting to feel the same way about this Hugging Meditation experiment.  I began initiating hugs for my own benefit, but as I continue to think about the effect these hugs have on the recipients, I am coming to understand the domino effect.  And so it goes on.

Hugs Are Sweet

Day 11:  4 Mindful Hugs

I really didn't think I would give any hugs today.  Two hugs went to my partner of 15 years, and the other two to my furry felines.  Yes, I actually hug my cats.  And yes, I held them for 3 breaths.

I spent most of the day restoring order at home.  As I was cleaning out the kitchen cabinets, I came across a bag of Hershey's Hugs.  I laughed out loud at the absurd idea of having a whole bag full of hugs at my fingertips.  Since we don't really eat sugar much these days, I decided to give these hugs away.

I filled several snack-size bags with the hugs and set out on a walk around my neighborhood.  Whenever I passed a house with people out in the yard, I stopped and gave them a bag.  It was kind of fun to get out and meet some of my neighbors.  I've lived in this community for the past 4 years, yet only know the neighbors directly to either side of our house.

Today, I met some new people, gave out some sweet hugs, and enjoyed a nice walk on this beautiful day.  I would say that this Hugging Meditation experiment is working.

Natural Born Huggers

Day 10:  9 Mindful Hugs

Today I taught Nia at a birthday party for an 8 year old girl and 10 of her friends.  Typically, my target audience consists of women ages 18+.  While I have taught a few classes for children in the past, teaching children is not my favorite thing to do.  But when a friend calls and asks if you will do something, it's hard for me to say no, particularly if it is a good friend.  Thus I ended up at the party with a bunch of screaming kids running around.

Thankfully, my friend and the child's parents were there to help with the crowd control so that I could explain what we were about to do.  I planned 30 minutes of music and we danced.  I made it through the set, but it was very clear that I will not be agreeing to do this anytime soon (more like never again).

As the party progressed to gift time, I noticed that the children were going up to each other and hugging.  As they hugged, they verbally expressed their gratitude for one another.  This completely changed my perspective of the event.  The children morphed before my eyes from screaming demons to compassionate, loving creatures.

At the end of the party, as everyone was leaving, the children once again began to hug each other.  They also hugged the parents and thanked them for inviting them to the party.  What I didn't expect was for the children to hug me!  Several of the children hugged me and thanked me leading the dance class.

Thinking back to my childhood, I don't remember being so open with my affection toward my family, let alone my friends.  Perhaps that is why I find hugging so difficult in adulthood.  This experiment is teaching me so much about myself and others.  As the days progress, I am becoming less hesitant with hugging.  While it's still not my favorite thing to do, it's growing on me.    

Hugs in the Workplace

Day 9:  28 Mindful Hugs

The picture above is a great guide for acceptable office contact.  The Mindful Hug is a little different in that it takes more time, and there is more emphasis on REALLY being present with the other person.  I work with mostly women in my office.  While we're not always the most affectionate bunch, there are occasions when we hug.  Everyone at work knows about this project, so they are even more receptive when they see me coming for my daily hug.  One person even sought me out for a hug.

Most of my hugs today happened at work.  I helped produce an event where nearly 175 people attended.  I have worked with most of the attendees in the past, so it was nice to see so many familiar faces.  28 people were happy to receive a mindful hug from me.

I must admit that I am grateful to have had the opportunity to give so many hugs in one setting.  It takes the pressure off the approaching weekend, because I know that I will not see as many people.

I'm the Hugging Lady

Day 8:  19 Mindful Hugs

Eight days into this Hugging Meditation experiment and I have given 101 hugs!  When I began this journey I wasn't sure if I would make it to 500 hugs.  Now I'm starting to believe that I just might!  Only 399 to go in the next 22 days.  If I continue on my current streak of about 18 hugs a day, I will definitely make it to my goal.

I'm becoming more at ease with the process of giving mindful hugs.  I still have to prepare every morning upon waking to remind myself why I'm doing this.  I've begun adding heart opening poses to my morning yoga routine.  This has been an important practice for me to enter into the space of openness and compassion before I even leave the house.


I'm starting to be known around town for this little project.  I passed a woman on the street yesterday who shouted out "It's the Hugging Lady!"  My first reaction was to turn around and look for this hugging person.  Then I realized she was talking about me.  We exchanged smiles and hugs.