Two Thousand and Eight Hugs to You!

A Real Bear Hug

A Touching Christmas Message

I recently recieved a message from one of my Myspace friends that touched me deeply and renewed my faith that Hugs Heal really is making a difference; far more of a difference than I could have ever expected or hoped for. Now I'd like to share this message with you.

"Just last night I was feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders. With Christmas approaching and my not being able to provide my children; I am raising my 3 grandchildren and 1 great nephew; with the things they deserve I was feeling pretty alone. I cried myself to sleep last night and prayed for God to just send me a friend and I woke up this morning to receive a friend request from Hugs Heal and it brought tears to my eyes again, only for a much different reason. I just had to say thank you for what you do and today will be a much better day for me because of you." - Mimi

Just a Few Holiday Hugs for Everybody!

My Favorite Responses to my last the "Hugs Make Me Feel" Challenge

I posted my "Hugs Make Me Feel" Challenge on the Hugs Heal Myspace and so far I have recieved 16 responses. Here are my Top Five:

5. "When I hug someone I feel like everything is right with the world."

4. "When I see people hugging eachother I feel warm and happy; and frankly wishing it was a group hug."

3. "Hugs make me feel safe, warm, makes feel like I am loved and cared for. There is nothing like a hug to brighten your day and make you feel better."

4. "When I see people hugging each other I feel as if they are close, caring, in love; whatever the occasion. A hug is a closeness and says all that needs to be said in so many ways!"

5. "The thought of students not being able to hug eachother in school makes me...wonder what this world is coming to, when a hug is considered to be offensive. Considering most of the bonds we make in childhood (outside our families) is in school with our peers."

"Hugs Make Me Feel" Challenge

I challenge everyone to tell the world how you feel about hugs by completing one of these sentences:

When someone hugs me I feel...
When I hug someone else I feel...
When I see people hugging eachother I feel...
When I need a hug but can't get one I feel...
The thought of students not being able to hug eachother in school makes me...

Here's a few to get the ball rolling.
When someone hugs me I feel... better, no matter how I was feeling before.
When I hug someone else I feel... wonderful, because I am healing that person's hurts.
When I see people hugging eachother I feel... pride in humankind.
When I need a hug but can't get one I feel... lonely.
The thought of students not being able to hug eachother in school makes me... angry and determined to make a difference.

How I Came Up With “Hugs Heal”

I've had some people asking me how exactly I came up with Hugs Heal and why I choose to do this, so here's the deal.

I've always enjoyed hugs and thought that they were a very important part of anyone's life, but that thought was always kind of abstract; I didn't have anything specific to attribute it to. But not long ago I was reading an article on abc.com about a study that was done showing that hugs can actually reduce the risk of heart disease. I remember thinking “Wow, hugs really do heal.” I thought that was so incredible and a such very important find. It made me think of all the times in my life that a hug has made me feel better and all times I've hugged friends and family members when I thought they needed it. I realized that hugs have a far more profound effect on our lives than most people really appreciate. So, I came up with the "Hugs Heal" idea.

So far it's just a myspace and a blog, but people have been responding so wonderfully to my message that who knows where it will go. I've been getting all sorts of ideas about making this into a real organization, but it's a bit early to consider that too seriously. For now, I just want to get my message across and touch as many lives as possible in the process.

A Hug for a Brave Soldier

"This is Donna and Kevin. He is a soldier in the Army and currently overseas. This is one of the last hugs I received from him. He is greatly missed. He will be home soon. This and other hugs are not like any other. These are the intense 'please don't go, but beacuse you have to I will hug you tight so you dont forget what it feels like in my arms' hugs' "

- Shared by Donna

Photo Submitted by a Friend of Hugs Heal 4

This is my personal favorite of my children!

Shared by Liz from Coleman, Texas

Hugs Heal Story 4 - submitted by a friend of Hugs Heal

I currently have a soldier in Iraq, not too long ago I was crying alot. My brother and I stood in the living realizing we needed eachother. We hugged for a very long time. So long my neck hurt. That hug was needed. I hadn't cried in I dont know how long. It made me realize it's ok to break down, to lose control for that moment and there is always someone right there to hold you when you need them. This hug has helped me through the last three days. I am stronger because my brother and I fell apart together.

-Shared by Donna from Florida

A Princess Hug

"My four year old daughter and her friend were playing dress up one day and my daughter decided to give her friend a hug. Caitlyn is good at giving out hugs, she is a very loving child."

- Shannon of Colorado Creations Photography

Photo Submitted by a Friend of Hugs Heal 4

A beautiful Father/Son moment, submitted by Gareth of the United Kindom of him and his son Joshua.

Hugs Heal Story 3 - submitted by a friend of Hugs Heal

On August 10, 2006 I had a heart attack. My husband took me to the ER and while they were running all their tests and stabilizing me, he was by my side. Two hours later, they put me in a room to wait for a heart cath operation to see where the blockage was. All of this was happening on the day before our anniversary.

The hospital did not have the staff to do the surgery the next morning, so my husband and I spent our anniversary in my hospital room. I don't remember much because I was on pain medication and all kinds of IV drips. All I know is that every time I opened my eyes, he was there.

The next day was Saturday and during the night one of my IV's had come out. As soon as I got up out of bed, it was evident which one. I was having another heart attack. I was moved to CCU where visitation was limited, so I was alone most of the time. On Monday, after one surgery to find the blockage and another to install four stents, I was moved back to ICU. Spending the whole week in solitude and pain does a lot to the mental psyche and I was getting depressed, even in my fog of morphine.

By Friday, I was able to go to a regular room and was released later that day. But that wasn't the best thing for me.The best thing that happened, the thing that gave me the warmest and most secure feeling, was the first embrace from my husband. It was filled with love, companionship, caring, and happiness. And it made my world right again.

- Linda from Arlington, Texas

Puppy/Kitty Hugs!

WwW.SparkleTags.Com

Okay, everybody say it with me : Awwwwwwwwwwwwww.......

Photo Submitted by a Friend of Hugs Heal 3

Here is little Josh with his adorable kitty, Jack. Submitted by Claudia from Powell, Tennessee.

The Best, Worst, Most Important Moments

Have you ever noticed that most of best, worst, most important moments of your life include a hug?

I was 17 years old and the date was March 31, 2005; the day my dad died suddenly of a heart attack. An odd start to a "best hug" story, huh?

There are a lot of things about that day that I don't remember. But I do remember the moment when I finally broke down, the initial shock suddenly wore off and I started to cry, wail, and ultimately collaspe on my living room floor. And I remember my best friend, Sarah, hugging me. She threw her arms around me and when my knees hit the floor, she went down with me. She never let go.

It was certainly not a happy moment; in fact, it was the saddest moment of my life, but it was and still is the best, most important hug I can ever remember recieving.

Tell me about your best, most important hug memory.

Stop The War On Hugs

I have just read yet another article about students getting in trouble for hugging. Personally, I find these "Hug Bans" at school absolutely ridiculous, unnecessary, and potentially harmful to America's youth. Please Click Here to read the article and get a better idea what these rules are about.

Every time I hear about a student being punished for giving their friend a hug, my chest constricts, my face turns red, my hands clench, and let's just say that no one should be asking me any favors. Hugging is such an important part of our lives, and it is especially important to children and teenagers.

These are the years when emotions are already in such turmoil; how can we deny these children the simple and wonderful comfort of a hug? And if our youth grow up not experiencing the incredible power of hugs, how can we expect them to understand how important they are? How much will this effect these children? How will it effect how they treat they kids and grandkids? This is our future we're talking about. Are we headed down a very slippery slope toward an world where freely-given affection will be socially unacceptable?

These bans may seem insignificant to some, but if they are allowed to continue, I believe that they will spread and evolve into stricter and stricter rules banning many expressions of affection. Just how many acts of warmth and friendliness are we willing to allow our children to miss out on?

How can we expect our children to become kind people in adulthood if we punish them for acts of kindness in adolescence?

The Best Things About Hugs

My favorite thing about hugs: You can have too much of practically anything in this world, but you can never have too many hugs!


I challenge everyone who reads this to post your favorite thing about hugs. =)

1,000 Friend Goal Reached 4 Days Early!

Hey everybody! I have surpassed my goal of 1,000 Myspace friends by Dec. 1 and it's only Nov. 27! Yay!

Now, I still need 8 more subscribers to this blog by Dec. 8, so you guys have to help me out by subcribing and telling your friends to visit, ok?

A Sleepy Twin Hug!

Here is a photo submitted by Maritha from Stockholm, another friend of Hugs Heal, of her twin grandsons sleeping and hugging. Adorable!

Photo Submitted by a Friend of Hugs Heal 2

This photo of her daughters was submitted by Heather, a myspace friend of Hugs Heal. So cute!

Thanksgiving Hugs!

Happy Thanksgiving and many hugs to you and your family!

I'm thankful for the fact that my family members love to hug each other!

What are you thankful for?

A Quote from a Friend of Hugs Heal

"I think everybody needs a hug in life. I know the feeling that I feel when I hug my grand-kids is so great that I dont ever want to let them go."

-Pat from Florida

Friends and Subscription Goal

Okay you guys, my goals for Hugs Heal at the moment is to have 1, 000 Myspace friends and at least 10 subscribers to this blog by Dec. 1, 2007.

Help please!

To become a friend of Hugs Heal, please click here and add me!

To subscribe to this blog by looking to the right and clicking "Subscribe to Hugs Heal"

Or better yet, do both!

Bear Hugs being sent to victims of the California Fires

Build-A-Bear Workshop is running a fundraiser throughout U.S. stores to help victims of those who were affected by the California Fires through the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. They are sending teddy bears to victims across Southern California.

Stuffed with Hugs is a charitable Build-A-Bear Workshop program that provides teddy bears to children who are in need of hugs. It also children a great opportunity to help other children.

Please donate to this incredible cause. http://www.buildabear.com/

Please read the full article that provided this information. Bear Hugs

A Hugs Heal Online Community

I am very seriously considering turning Hugs Heal into an interactive online community, like myspace or facebook. I can set it up so it will bring people together through hugs! Friends can send each other vitural hugs, photos, stories, and anything else having to do with hugs!

Does any one have any ideas about what I might want to include in an online community?

I'd also like to design some clothes with the Hugs Heal logo to sell in order to help spread the message.
Any advice?

Hugging You!

I just want to say, to anyone in the world who needs a hug right this second for any reason, I'm hugging you right now! I hope my hugs help.

Photo Submitted by a Friend of Hugs Heal 1

Mary Moon, author of "The Last Miracle Mile" and advocate for the prevention of child abuse, sent in this photo of her grandson Cameron hugging his brand-new puppy.

Aren't they adorable?!

Quote of the Day

“I will not play tug o' war. I'd rather play hug o' war. Where everyone hugs instead of tugs, Where everyone giggles and rolls on the rug, Where everyone kisses, and everyone grins, and everyone cuddles, and everyone wins.” - Shel Silverstein

"The Rescuing Hug"

To read the full article please press the following link.

http://www.52best.com/hug.asp

Cyndy and Mitzi

Here is a letter and some photos I recieved from a woman named Cyndy, who loved her dog so very much.

Hi Gini,
I am one of your myspace friends. I am sending you 2 pics of myself and my Mitzi. Mitzi crossed over to the Rainbow Bridge on Sept 5 2007. She was 16 years old, the love of my life and my best friend. I am so blessed to have had her as part of my life. Together the two of us traveled all 48 states, Mexico and Canada. I drove a truck at the time. The pics I am sending are of our last hugs to each other.
Bless you for starting such a wonderful page.
Many Hugs,
Cyndy

Hugs Heal Story 2 - submitted by a friend of Hugs Heal

My fiancee and I have been having some really hard times with money lately. He is the more laid back person and I am the pessimistic one and I always think we are going to loose everything. Within the last week our situation has started to get worse. When I sit down and stare at our check book it upsets me. I try to find ways to calm down but I cant, I yell at my kids (I know how bad huh?) and cry. When I get like that my daughter who is 3 will come up and hug me and grab my face and tell me its ok....I feel so much better after that, it is like that hug from my baby girl makes the world so much better, and nothing else matters but having her in my arms... I love her so much! Hugs are great. I love hugs!

-Mandy from New York

Cancer Survivor Sylvia and Singer Jimmy Barnes

This is a photo submitted by a wonderful woman named Sylvia of her and her idol, Scottish/Australian Singer Jimmy Barnes. At the time she was living with cancer and he was about to go through open heart surgery.

Great news: She is now a cancer survivior and he came through as well!

Go Sylvia and Jimmy and Congratulations! Hugs Heal!

And here is a photo after these inspiring survivors made it through!

Random Acts of Kindness

I want to remind everyone, including myself, that a simple act of kindness can go a very long way. It seems as though people just forget that they have the ability to help others. Think about it.

If you spend 1 hour reading to child with terminal leukemia, do you think that child will ever forget that hour? Just one hour has changed this beautiful little person's life forever.

There is a woman sitting in a convalescent home right now, tired and alone. Her husband passed away a long time ago and she has no other family. You go into the home with a few friends and you sing a song to her. For a brief moment, her face lights up, as it hasn't done in a long time. Neither of you will ever forget it.

There is a girl at your school who doesn't have any friends; who looks at the ground as she walks and hugs her books to her chest in an effort to shield herself from the other kids cruel comments. Can you take a moment out of your life to smile at her? Say hello? Maybe even ask if she'd like to have lunch with you. A half hour out of your life may not mean much to you, but I'll bet it will to her. In fact, you'll never know this, but this girl had been so depressed and lonely that she was going to do something drastic when she got home that day. You didn't just change her life; YOU SAVED IT.

Every person has been imbued with a truly awesome power: the power to have influence on the lives of others. It's just up to us to use it.

Helping others is important and it isn't even difficult! "I don't have time to help" isn't an excuse or a reason. All it takes is one story. One song. One smile. HELP.

Hugs Heal Story 1- Shared by a friend of Hugs Heal

I recently found out that some women I work with were spreading rumors around that I was not a very nice person. This hurt me more than anyone can imagine. I felt alone, isolated and felt unloved and that no one needed me. I felt that I had made no difference in anyones life and that no one really cared if I lived or died. I was walking to get something to eat and ran into a cleaning lady that worked in the building. Sometimes, sadly enough, people ignored her because she is a cleaning lady. She and I got along great!! I always spoke and smiled at her and we liked each other a lot. Anyway, when I ran into her, she ran up to me and gave me a great big hug and told me that only 2 people in the whole building ever spoke to her and that I was one of them. She had tears in her eyes. That hug lifted so much weight off of my shoulders and gave me a new spark of energy. Also, it let me know that I DO make a difference, I just don't always see the difference I make. Little things can make a big difference in other peoples lives...so we should always treat everyone with the respect that all human beings deserve.

-Shared by Melanie

Hugs Reduce the Risk of Heart Disease!

Source: ABC.com

A study conducted at North Carolina University concluded that hugs increased levels of oxytocin, reducing blood pressure; which reduces the risk of heart disease, America's #1 cause of death.
So if you think hugs are worthless,
YOU ARE WRONG.

Hugs

This blog is dedicated to bringing people together and to spreading a message of love and kindness. Hugs Heal is inspired by the awesome healing power of hugs.

A hug is an embrace; to take someone into your arms with caring and affection. But thats not all a hug is. A hug is an expression of love, friendship, and kindness. A hug can heal the world's worst wounds; physical or emotional. A hug can give a person that bit of strength that they need in order to just keep going.

There is a hug for every mood, every ailment. The Comforting Hug for when you're sad, the Happy Hug when you're excited, and of course the Bear Hug; appropriate for all occasions.

My cat starlight hugging his kitty doll!