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A Friendly Reminder Of Australian “Free Hugs” Man – Cheers Juan!

This Is Such An Endearing Story From 14 Years Ago About A Young Australian Man Who Came Back From England In Need Of A Good Hug..... He Started Giving Free Hugs Away And Made A Difference In Lives Including His Own. There Is A Video Link At The End Of This Page. Don't miss it.

HUGS Are FREE And So Are SMILES!!!

I LOVE THIS STORY

Lonely From Social Distancing? Here is One of Our Favourite Videos of Humanity Hugging It Out.

By Good News Network - April 16th 2020

It has been almost 14 years since Australian man Juan Mann first stood in a city square with a large cardboard sign that read “Free Hugs”—but his iconic campaign has left a lasting imprint on the world.

Mann popularized the slogan after he filmed his Free Hugs Campaign music video to the Sick Puppies song “All the Same” back in 2006—and it has since been viewed a whopping 78 million times.

So for all of you who may be feeling down and lonely during these turbulent times of social distancing, we’re reposting this video to remind you that these stay-at-home restrictions are only temporary and our communities will be stronger as a result of it.

For more inspiration, here is Mann’s story about how he was first inspired to launch his Free Hugs campaign.

I’d been living in London when my world turned upside
down and I’d had to come home. By the time my plane landed back in Sydney, all
I had left was a carry on bag full of clothes and a world of troubles. No one
to welcome me back, no place to call home.

I was a tourist in my hometown.

Standing there in the arrivals terminal, watching other
passengers meeting their waiting friends and family, with open arms and smiling
faces, hugging and laughing together,

I wanted someone out there to be waiting
for me. To be happy to see me. To smile at me. To hug me.

So I got some cardboard and a marker and made a sign. I found the busiest pedestrian intersection in the city and held that sign aloft, with the words “Free Hugs” on both sides.

He Turned His Situation With A Mission To Spread Warmth And Happiness

And for 15 minutes, people just stared right through me.
The first person who stopped, tapped me on the shoulder and told me how she lost her pet and how that morning had been the one year anniversary of her only daughter dying in a collision. How what she needed now, when she felt most alone in the world, was a hug. I got down on one knee, we put our
arms around each other and when we parted, she was Smiling.

Everyone has problems and for sure mine haven’t compared with hers.
To see someone who was once frowning, Smile even for a Moment, is worth it every time.

Click on the Link if you would like to see the most enthralling Video -
It's really something. You will be so glad you did!

Juan at his Best - Free Hugs Campaign - Wait for the Colour - This is Engaging - You will be Enthralled - We still Love You Juan!!!

"The beautiful thing about life, is knowing we're the ones that get to put it together"...those words are simply amazing.

You are amazing to started this campaign, so simple and so powerful. You've changed the course of history at some level, you've made the difference. Thank you.

Greatest Campaign Ever!!!

FREE HUGS is amazing, every time I watch a video of it, it makes me almost cry because it Shines the Light of Hope and Love through all of what is going on right now. Thank you every one that has done this. Love and Light to All.

HEY MAN. I'M A CRYING MAN EVERYTIME I WATCH YOUR VIDEO. THANKYOU SOSOSOSOSO MUCH.

This is the nicest campaign in big scale ever! I see hugs from the whole lovely world here! Hugs from Us!!!

Good on you - I'm proud that you're a fellow Aussie and setting such an inspirational example for the world. Sending hugs your way!!

I dedicated this song to my son before he was deployed to Iraq for a year. He is my only son and my first born. It was one of the hardest things I ever had to deal with in my life...watching my baby boy go fight in a war right out of high school. I'm happy to say my Son came home safe.

Oh my Goodness! This made cry, this is so beautiful!!! Just by watching this, you can feel all the Love there is...Thank you so much for starting this!!!

Big Hugs from Puerto Rico. To everyone who shares these videos, hello and a very big and free hug. God bless you All

Free Hugs to the WORLD - Love it and Blessings and Hugs Always to all people in need across the World.

Now what’s popular these days is people being menaces in public. I was 11 years old when I saw the campaign, it has never left me. I’m glad
I grew up when I did. I almost missed growing up with influences like this.
I thank you as much as a person can for Being You. (Nov 2023)

I love you Juan! You are so Wonderful Person. The World needs people like You!

I love this campaign! It makes me all warm inside and think that there actually is Hope still for Humanity.

What a wonderful way to say "I love you, respect you, and care for you" Hugs from Us!

I watched that video over and over again and every time it makes me cry. it's nice to know that there are people like you in the world who care about more than themselves. One who wants to make a difference in another person's life.

It's amazing how one Simple Hug can make a person Smile!

Juan Mann, you rock, thanks for sharing this great idea with everybody!
I free-hugged a couple days ago, and it was the Best Experience Ever in my Life. Keep up your Awesome HUGS!!

Cheers from Us!!! You're such a Visionary.....Thank you Juan Mann for all those Hugs you spread Worldwide!

You fill my heart with Love and Peace....

Please never stop to giving hugs heal the soul! You are Amazing!!!

What you've achieved, man, it's beautiful!!!!

I wore a free hugs shirt for a Los Angeles cruise. Got about 400 hugs in
2.5 days. People need it.

You are a great man!!! You inspired so many people around the world by just giving hugs! Presidents and politicians all over the world can not do what you did! You give hope... All you need is Love all you need is a HUG!

Juan, you're the best and we should be thanking YOU.

Give it time. The right will people will see and understand. Love, compassion, and empathy are strange concepts for many people today. Keep the love in your heart and stay strong.

You have inspired me, thank you...Florida get ready for your free hugs!

We did this in CYPRUS. great success! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU.

Love and hugs to all of you from The Netherlands!

Hugs from Montreal. I did a Free Hug Day last week ... and it was a success!

What kind of ego tells a person you cant stand around with a sign. You are a champ Juan!

Juan Mann you are a Champ. You really made my day with the hug. I was going thru a tough time and that hug Cheered me up. Thanks Mate

Thank You Juan Mann!!! Your idea is amazing! It's incredible how you have changed people's lives! =)

A MILLION HUGS from Thailand!!

Juan, You are great. I live in Sydney too and your video is moving. I've been heaps upset lately but when I watch your video over and over I feel hugged. Thanks Mate! I Wanna Hug YOU!!!!

LOVE Conquers All! Juan, I Thank You:)

Hugs from Brazil and Portugal!!

I feel all your hugs!! Hope you feel mine too! =)

Hugs from Switzerland! Yay!

Hugs from Argentina!

Awesome! Hope you make someone's day! 

Love the campaign. think it was a Great Idea. Canada Loves The Hugs:)

LOTS OF HUGS from Romania:)

I think that Juan Mann should Win a Nobel Prize for This Campaign!

Now I have a New Mission, thanks Juan

I´m a Brazilian and I really need a hug... today my class watched the video "Free Hugs", we stand and  hugged each other. This was a good experience

HUGS FROM AUSTRALIA!!!

Oh my Goodness, he makes me Proud to be an Aussie!:)

I've seen other Videos but
"NO ONE HUGS LIKE JUAN!"
   (Janet)

Juan has a very interesting eBook book called The Illustrated Guide to Free Hugs HERE

Juan had the following experience before he went on his Hugging Mission

While I was deep in thought a young lady strolled out of a crowd and right up to me, smiled into my eyes and wrapped her arms around me. In that moment I discovered something I’d known all along, but hadn’t realised or had simply forgotten in my sadness. I’d found the one thing I’d been truly missing, in all that time I’d spent alone. Hugs are amazing. Everyone involved in a hug benefits, everyone feels better for it! This young lady had given me a hug for the first time in a long time. I felt happier. My problems weren’t solved, the world hadn’t changed there and then, but that hug had made a difference to my life. I immediately knew what I was going to do. I was going to make a sign and offer Free Hugs to everyone and anyone. It doesn’t matter how rich or how poor, how old or how young, who they were or where they came from. A free hug would be free of charge and free for all!

 

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