~ Our Hug Quest Stories and Photos, 2011 and 2012 ~
Click here for a video of our first Hug Quest!
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9.17.2011. Hug Quest.
Cloud Gate, Millennium Park, Chicago, IL
Loving for no reason
First we hugged a group of au pairs, then a cow, then a security guard. He wasn’t a real cow, and he seemed to be conducting his own personal hug quest before we arrived. We hugged attendants from two different weddings and a Fiesta de Quinceañera, travelers from several different countries, and a group of convention attendees from all over the United States. We didn’t keep count, although several people asked us how many hugs we had shared. There were hundreds.
We had our picture taken dozens of times. The day was perfect; blue and sunny and tourists were everywhere, cameras at the ready. After just a little while though, we realized “It’s not about the pictures.” One of us said that very thing and it was truth.
This Hug Quest was about the love.
I am still sort of “high” from all that love. Over and over I felt the truth from another one of us. It was pure and real and honest and wow.
There were dramatic moments and it would have made a great video. A different security guard told us we would have to stop because we couldn’t have signs at the Bean. We said “We are not advertising anything, just hugging”. She called back to headquarters and they told her it was up to her own discretion; reluctantly, she let us continue.
Many folks asked why, and what organization we represented. We answered “No reason, just spreading some love.” Then more questions came – “How did you come together?” We answered, “Facebook”. “Who is behind this?” We replied “We are”.
We did talk about the Hug Campaign that was started in 2006; many had seen the video. What people were confused about was that there was no real organization, that it was just us, deciding to love for no reason.
It was not what I expected. In my head there were pictures, I even brought a video camera. It was profoundly beautiful in a way that cannot be captured on film; it felt beautiful. Lilou Mace showed up towards the end of the day and took some video that you can see if you go to her page; it shows people, and they are hugging.
The Hug Quest was started so that we could connect. I discovered that loving for no reason is a rare thing, and folks in general don’t know what to do with it. There were some sexual references, lots of jokes and giggles. There were a few “No thank you” replies to our open arms.
So…thank you all for allowing this journey to proceed, and for joining in. I have learned now that the truly best thing we can do for each other is just to love each other, for no reason other than that we are one. It feels amazing and is something that returns tenfold when it is given.
In Lak’ech.
Cloud Gate, Millennium Park, Chicago, IL
Loving for no reason
First we hugged a group of au pairs, then a cow, then a security guard. He wasn’t a real cow, and he seemed to be conducting his own personal hug quest before we arrived. We hugged attendants from two different weddings and a Fiesta de Quinceañera, travelers from several different countries, and a group of convention attendees from all over the United States. We didn’t keep count, although several people asked us how many hugs we had shared. There were hundreds.
We had our picture taken dozens of times. The day was perfect; blue and sunny and tourists were everywhere, cameras at the ready. After just a little while though, we realized “It’s not about the pictures.” One of us said that very thing and it was truth.
This Hug Quest was about the love.
I am still sort of “high” from all that love. Over and over I felt the truth from another one of us. It was pure and real and honest and wow.
There were dramatic moments and it would have made a great video. A different security guard told us we would have to stop because we couldn’t have signs at the Bean. We said “We are not advertising anything, just hugging”. She called back to headquarters and they told her it was up to her own discretion; reluctantly, she let us continue.
Many folks asked why, and what organization we represented. We answered “No reason, just spreading some love.” Then more questions came – “How did you come together?” We answered, “Facebook”. “Who is behind this?” We replied “We are”.
We did talk about the Hug Campaign that was started in 2006; many had seen the video. What people were confused about was that there was no real organization, that it was just us, deciding to love for no reason.
It was not what I expected. In my head there were pictures, I even brought a video camera. It was profoundly beautiful in a way that cannot be captured on film; it felt beautiful. Lilou Mace showed up towards the end of the day and took some video that you can see if you go to her page; it shows people, and they are hugging.
The Hug Quest was started so that we could connect. I discovered that loving for no reason is a rare thing, and folks in general don’t know what to do with it. There were some sexual references, lots of jokes and giggles. There were a few “No thank you” replies to our open arms.
So…thank you all for allowing this journey to proceed, and for joining in. I have learned now that the truly best thing we can do for each other is just to love each other, for no reason other than that we are one. It feels amazing and is something that returns tenfold when it is given.
In Lak’ech.