I don’t remember the first time I saw this video or heard this song. It’s been a while. I thought it was really cool but it wasn’t until today I actually realized how amazing Juan Mann is. Juan Mann is the guy offering free hugs in this video. He launched the Free Hugs Campaign and was known for stationing himself at the Pitt Street Mall in Sydney, Australia weekly with his “FREE HUG” sign in hand.
He began to get some recognition and received millions of views on the initial Free Hugs video. He then extended an open invite to his home on his personal YouTube account. He posted his address on YouTube and invited anyone to come and stop by to chat, for a hug, whatever. Of course his landlord wasn’t too fond of this and ended up kicking him out saying he was endangering his neighbors and being a nuisance.
Regardless, there is so much beauty in what he has done. I can’t say I’m couragous enough to make a sign and offer hugs to complete strangers, but the fact that he not only did that but opened his home to anyone that needed a listening ear without the fear that the world would misuse the information is truly inspiring. It makes me sit back and set my pessimism aside since he was received in such a positive manner. In so many ways, Juan has achieved an aspect of my ideal world, where people can put their differences aside and HUG. Because everyone needs love. Everyone needs hugs.
Juan Mann. One love.
