During my fourth year of teaching, I had the great privilege of working with an amazing educator by the name of Miss Bezanson. She taught a grade four class to whom I taught Physical Education. Therefore, I had the opportunity to socialize with her on a daily basis. About six months into the school year, Miss Bezanson gave me something that would forever change my teaching techniques and my life, although I did not realize it at that moment. One afternoon, I was in Miss Bezanson's class discussing a student who was displaying increasing behavioural problems in my Physical Education class. Sensing that I was experiencing tremendous stress as a result of this student, she gave me something that touched my heart and reinforced an important life lesson. She handed me a small paper card entitled "Hug Someone You Love Today" That was it! No preachy sermon or fancy teaching strategies. At that moment, I realized that maybe all that child needed was a simple hug. A sign of affection which he may or may not have been receiving at home. So the next day, I gave him a "Hug Someone You Love Today" card. From that day forward, I never had another major problem with that student. It was absolutely amazing. In this book, I will share with you some of the heart-felt, true stories that I have accumulated over the years as a result of passing out these "Hug Someone You Love Today" cards along to those in need. These are stories about normal folks like you and I, whose lives have been positively changed as a result of receiving this simple card. As you read these stories, hopefully you will begin to feel more peaceful and loving yourself.

Hug Someone You Love Today

And How to Leave Your Personal SignatureBy Michael A. Pickles

Trafford Publishing

Copyright © 2012 Michael A. Pickles
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4269-9622-1

Contents

Forward.............................................................ixAcknowledgments.....................................................xiiiAbout the Author....................................................xvThe Hug!............................................................1Electric Company....................................................2Trimming the Excess Fat.............................................3A Father's Final Wishes.............................................4The Surrogate Mother................................................6Hugs along the Appalachian Trail....................................8A Train Ride to Happiness...........................................9Slow but Steady Wins the Race.......................................11A Hug Can Save a Life...............................................12What I Learned From a Dog...........................................13Hugs of Humanity....................................................14Huggies at Summer Camp..............................................18Flying High in the Clouds...........................................19Necessary Life Struggles............................................20You Light Up My Life................................................22Love in a Cup.......................................................23Earning a Child's Trust.............................................25Keep It Simple Stupid...............................................26Only a Phone Call Away..............................................27An Elephant is an Elephant or is it?................................28Random Hugs of Kindness.............................................29Teenage Huggers.....................................................30If at First You Don't Succeed, Try, Try Again.......................31The Bigger, the Better..............................................32The Art of Hugging..................................................33Philosophically Speaking............................................34A Loss for Words....................................................35Don't Ever..........................................................37Over 100 People Served..............................................39Child's Meaning of Love.............................................40Free Hugs Campaigns from Around the World...........................42The True Value of Time..............................................43Pay it forward......................................................46Ice-cream Kindness..................................................47Hugged by an Angel..................................................48I've Learned That...................................................49Cowboy Mouths.......................................................54Those beside You....................................................55Wearing your "Stuff" on your Sleeve.................................56DO IT ANYWAY........................................................58Life's Major League Curveballs......................................60Bucket List to Freedom..............................................61An Unforgettable Gift...............................................62Always Remain Curious...............................................63The Starfish........................................................64The Wizardly Power of Belief........................................65A Picture is worth a Thousand Words.................................66Surfing to Higher Heights...........................................68Changing the World One Hamburger at a Time..........................69Wings of Protection.................................................70From Punching Bag to World Champion.................................71A Wife's Never Ending Love..........................................73The Trouble Tree....................................................75Your Inner Butterfly................................................77Is My Attitude Worth Catching?......................................78Theory of a Thousand Marbles........................................79No Laughing Matter..................................................80Pulling Together as a Team..........................................81Food for Thought....................................................82Turn Up Your Inner Heat.............................................83The Top Five Percent................................................84Keep Your Chin Up...................................................85Living Life through a TV Screen.....................................86Brotherly Love......................................................87Call it Puppy Love..................................................88The Power of Visualization..........................................90Don't Quit..........................................................91Enough for a Tip....................................................93De-stressing from a Child's Love....................................94I Love You, I Forgive You and Good Night Mother.....................95Rocks and Sand......................................................102Bad Company.........................................................104Money Matters.......................................................105What Goes Around Comes Around.......................................106Your Life's Legacy..................................................108Secret to Living a Long Life........................................109Footprints..........................................................110Find Your "Delete All" Button.......................................111An Honorable 67 Minutes.............................................112Changing the World One Pencil at a Time.............................114How Much Is Time Worth?.............................................119Final Curtain Call..................................................120

Chapter One

      The Hug!

    It's wonderous what a hug can do.
    A hug can cheer you when you're blue.
    A hug can say, "I love you so,"
    Or, "Gee, I hate to see you go."
    A hug is, "Welcome back again."
    And "Great to see you! Where've you been?"
    A hug can soothe a small child's pain,
    and bring a rainbow after rain.
    The hug! There's just no doubt about it—
    we scarcely could survive without it!
    A hug delights and warms and charms.
    It must be why God gave us arms.
    A hug can break the language barrier,
    and make your travels so much merrier.
    No need to fret about your store of 'em,
    the more you give, the more there's more of 'em.
    So stretch those arms without delay
    and give someone a hug today!
    -Author Unknown

"Sometimes you have to fall from the mountain to realize what you are climbing for." —Chae Richardosn

Electric Company

When I first met my boyfriend, it was love at the first sight. After a few weeks, we held hands for the very first time. The second we touched I felt an electric shock, and he felt it too. It was such a strong and powerful feeling that we both got scared and immediately let go of each other's hand.

A few days later we hugged for the very first time. That hug was the craziest hug ever! The electricity we felt was so strong that we didn't want to let go of each other. Since that day, every hug has been the same ... powerful. Even after five years together, they are still the best hugs in my life!

Isa Clonada Quito, Ecuador

"You don't get in life what you want. You get what you are." —Les Brown

Trimming the Excess Fat

If you have ever participated in a Triathlon, and I haven't, you would know that it's not an easy task. Even more difficult would be to win it six times, as is the case with Dave Scott.

It was reported that for his training, Dave Scott would ride his bike 175 miles, swim 20,000 meters, than run 17 miles every single day. Furthermore, a man who easily burned 5,000 calories a day relied on a low fat, high carbohydrate diet.

Trimming himself of that excess fat was one more step that he believed would make him that much better, would get him to the finish line that much quicker, and it gave him that extra edge over all the other athletes. His discipline paid off, since he won the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon an amazing six times.

Everyone would like to be the best, but most lack the discipline to turn their potential into reality. It all lies in the discipline to do whatever it takes to become the best within your selected field and then to seek continual improvement. It's really that simple.

"Even if you are on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there." —Will Rogers

A Father's Final Wishes

January 11, 2005 was the day my life drastically changed. I received news that my Dad had cancer. It was an aggressive cancer and it was terminal. The doctors explained that his cancer started in his lungs and now had spread to several of his other organs.

Dad had been warned many times before to quit smoking, he even had an angioplasty done to his legs due to poor circulation problems related to smoking. On top of it all, he was a fireman who smoked a pack and a half a day. I was always telling him to quit smoking, you're too young to smoke and you have bronchitis. Dad didn't listen and kept on smoking.

The doctors explained his x-rays. Dad's lungs were black from years of inhaling smoke from the many fires he was in and from his heavy smoking. He was becoming very sick and starting to lose his faculties. I went to visit him the next day and we talked for hours. It was awkward knowing that he didn't have much time left. That he'd be leaving me soon.

Dad then looked at me and said, "Do you want to end up like me? Please Denise, stop smoking before it kills you. You have health problems now from smoking. Promise me that you will quit smoking." I promised him that I would quit smoking. We then embarrassed in a big hug with tears in both of our eyes.

His words inspired me to quit smoking. I now have no breathing problems or bronchitis. I have been cigarette free for 15 years. My Dad lost his battle with cancer on February 21, 1995 at the age of 60. That's when my life truly began.

Denise Muise Nova Scotia, Canada

"Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things." —Robert Brault

The Surrogate Mother

A police officer opens up a shed door to find a griping dog. It was dirty, malnourished, and had clearly been abused. In an act of kindness, the officer took the greyhound female dog to the nearby Wildlife Sanctuary known as a haven for animals abandoned, orphaned or otherwise in need.

The sanctuary staff immediately went to work with two goals: to restore the dog to full health, and to win her trust. It took several weeks, but eventually both goals were achieved. They named her Jasmine, and they started to think about finding her an adoptive home.

No-one remembers how it began, but Jasmine started welcoming all animal arrivals at the sanctuary. It wouldn't matter if it was a puppy, a fox cub, or a rabbit, Jasmine would peer into their cage and deliver a welcoming lick.

One of the workers remembers. "We had two puppies that had been abandoned by a nearby railway line. One was a Lakeland Terrier cross and another was a Jack Russell Doberman cross. Jasmine approached them and grabbed one by the scruff of the neck in her mouth and put him on the sofa. Then she fetched the other one and sat down with them, cuddling them."

"But she is like that with all of our animals, even the rabbits. She takes all the stress out of them and it helps them to not only feel close to her but to settle into their new surroundings. She has done the same with the fox and badger cubs; she licks the rabbits and guinea pigs and even lets the birds perch on the bridge of her nose."

Jasmine, the abused and deserted dog became the animal sanctuary's surrogate mother. Even animals clearly know the power of affection and given hugs. Jasmine was simply doing what she does best ... being a mother.

"Love understands all languages." —Romanian Proverb

Hugs along the Appalachian Trail

You may not be aware of this, but there was a guy who hiked the entire 2,200 mile Appalachian Trail a few years back who called himself "Free Hugs". He pretty much hugged everyone he met along the way. I thought this might be of interest. It's certainly something to thin about.

Steve Silberberg

"Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trial." —Ralph Waldo Emerson

A Train Ride to Happiness

In April of 1987, I hopped on a train in East Africa bound for Dar es Salaam, the capital of Tanzania. I had been given a sleeping cabin with two other women and their three small children. It was hot, humid, and overcrowded, but the price was right.

It had only been a few days since I said goodbye to Wayne, my lover and traveling companion. Wayne was a New Zealander and I was a Canadian whose travelling itineraries crossed paths in Turkey. We became inseparable for the next eight months traveling throughout Europe, and with plans to explore Africa together.

In Nairobi, Wayne was hospitalized for malaria. The illness and condition of the hospital was daunting for him, and he wanted to leave Africa early. To this day, I don't know why I said; "no" when he asked me to accompany him back to New Zealand. Perhaps it was the fear of commitment or a belief that I didn't deserve his love, either way, I found myself travelling solo again.

Not long into the ride, the train unexpectedly slowed down and came to a complete stop. I would have asked my cabin mates if they knew what was going on, but my knowledge of the Swahili language was very limited.

We soon realized that something was wrong. Slowly dozens of passengers wondered off the train into the hot, dry desert. Exhausted and feeling nauseous, I only made it as far as the landing steps and slumped down on the top stair.

As I stared out into the empty abyss, my whole being was suddenly consumed with an overwhelming feeling of regret, sadness, and emptiness. I realized right then that I had never felt such a high degree of loneliness combined with self-pity in my life. I was paralyzed with grief and a longing to be back with Wayne.

Then a miracle happened. Two young African children approached me. Their dark, curious eyes gazed at my pale skin and their little hands reached out to touch my bare arms. They stroked my skin with such care and gentleness that I responded with a hug.

As I held these desert angels, I felt my spirit restored. Joy and relief filled my being and I didn't feel alone anymore.

Trudi D'Ambrumenil BC, Canada

"The only journey is the journey within." —Rainer Maria Rilke

Slow but Steady Wins the Race

The story of Sam Walton reminds me of the famous quote from the Chinese philosopher Lao-tzu. "A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step."

Sam Walton, a humble businessman from Arkansas, began building his dream in 1945 with a single dime store. He didn't open his second store until years later. Walton slowly built his business step by step until a quarter of a century later he had accumulated a chain of 38 Wal-Marts.

According to the Forbes Global 2000 list, Wal-Mart is the biggest private employer in the world with over 2 million employees, and is the largest and most successful retail store chain in history. In order to be successful, Sam Walton clearly changed what needed to be changed and not what was easy to change, and that made all the difference.

"Procrastination is attitude's natural assassin. There's nothing as fatiguing as an uncompleted task." —Psychologist William James

A Hug Can Save a Life

Twin girls, Brielle and Kyrie, were born 12 weeks ahead of their due date. Needing intensive care, they were placed in separate incubators.

Kyrie began to gain weight and her health stabilized. But Brielle, born only 2 lbs, had trouble breathing, heart problems and other complications. She was not expected to live.

Their nurse did everything she could to make Brielle's health better, but nothing she did was helping. With nothing else to do, their nurse went against hospital policy and decided to place both babies in the same incubator.

She left the twin girls to sleep and when she returned she found a sight she could not believe. She called all the nurses and doctors and this is what they saw.

As Brielle got closer to her sister, Kyrie put her small little arm around her, as if to hug and support her sister. From that moment on, Brielle's breathing and heart rate stabilized and her health became normal. From then on, they decided to keep both babies together, because when they were together they kept each other alive.

Dr. Jeff Mullan

"There is no strength without unity." —Irish Proverb"

What I Learned From a Dog

1. Never pass up an opportunity to go for a joy ride.

2. Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face.

3. When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

4. When it's in your best interest, always practice obedience.

5. Let others know when they've invaded your territory.

6. Take naps and always stretch before rising.

7. Run, romp, and play daily.

8. Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.

9. Be loyal.

10. Never pretend to be something you're not.

11. If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

12. When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.

13. Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

14. Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

15. When you are happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

"A friend is one who knows us, but loves us anyway." —Jerome Cummings

Hugs of Humanity

It is late Sunday morning and I am glancing around my classroom—maps, posters, student art works, professional art works by former students, odd collections of photographs from magazines and of students engaged in learning, teaching tools, plants, tables and desks. My life! I am incapable of separating my personal self from my teacher self because the two are intermingled in my love of Art and Social Studies, and from the core of my values and beliefs—beginning with the 4 h's—honour, humour, humility, and honesty; followed by 3c's—curiosity, courage and creative problem solving; 2 s's self-discipline and spirituality; and ending with Balance. I capitalize the word "balance" because, for all of us, each day is a high wire act where balance is critical to survival and development as a human being. I also believe that within this balance lays our greatest potential for humanity.

The profession of teaching found me later in life, and it did not take long to realize that it is an extremely difficult and complex vocation. In my 19th year as a teacher, I entered the darkest period of my career and in that personal hell I also received two hugs of humanity.

My darkest period began with three students. It was a week before Christmas Break and I was making my way through the school to the Guidance Department when I encountered three boys relaxing at a table in our cafeteria. It did not take long to find out they were skipping their classes. My copious pleads of "get to class" were ignored with silence and smirks. As one of them slowly started to get up and do the right thing, I took a deep breath of relief, turned and walked away.

I stopped dead in my tracks after one of the three boys directed a rude remark towards me. I turned and waited until he walked into my personal space. "Would you care to explain that to Administration?" I asked breathing shallowly and with a dead-pan face for fear of losing my temper. His response was a hard punch on the upper part of my right arm. "Smack!" The light inside of me went out.

I was shocked. Even now, years later, all I can recall are their laughter and mocking looks on their turned faces as they ran down the hallway. Never had I been physically assaulted by a student! And I certainly never saw this one coming! I just stood there gazing down that hallway until they turned the corner.

What followed is the typical bureaucratic shuffle—identifying the students (I only knew one of them); talking with administration; writing up my report; administration holding meetings with the students in question and their parents. For the most part, I was not involved, but rather expected to continue as if nothing had happened.

Whenever I had a rare moment alone, I just sat and gazed into space ... no thoughts ... no feelings ... just gazing. Night time was even worse as I could hardly sleep and when I did, horrific nightmares woke me. My life had been instantly transformed from being purposeful to nothingness. It was in this personal dark hell that I gradually received two important, unexpected and unconventional hugs.

As a general rule, I remain each day in my classroom until about 5pm. After the attack, I decided that I needed to break this rule and head home as soon as possible in an effort to look after myself. This would never happen.

(Continues...)

Excerpted from Hug Someone You Love Todayby Michael A. Pickles Copyright © 2012 by Michael A. Pickles. Excerpted by permission of Trafford Publishing. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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