Staying true to the claim in the title, here you go: (((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))
This post is for the cause of salvaging the “Hug”. I think it really is misunderstood. And not explored beyond the “physical” boundaries! I have thoughts on the same that I want to share, few my own and some borrowed from literature and people.
Hugs!
Image courtesy Google
Sometimes you can know a person all your life and yet not be close. And sometimes you can know a person for few moments and feel like you’ve known them much longer. Vibes is what we call them. We are like magnets!! Constantly giving and receiving vibes. Where do hugs fit in here? OH!!!!! Leave it to crafty to fit them everywhere! 
I say so because a hug is what transfers these vibes from one heart to another in the shortest span of distance!
Once someone told me of how I should shed my inhibitions of physical barriers and hug from my heart, and consciously aim to reach the heart of the other person. And hold a conversation, heart-to-heart. I could not understand how it would work, but kept it at the back of my mind.
I met a friend, after a while of talking we had nothing more to say. I remembered about the advice and thought she made a good guinea pig… At the risk of sounding completely homosexual and putting at stake our years of friendship, I offered her a long hug. She being used to the irratic me, dismissed it as one of my illogical impulses and gave in. Feeling like a total fool, I tried to “converse in my heart” while I hugged her, and in my heart I ran the words that I really am glad to have her as my friend and that she can count on me at any time in life for anything. And I was stunned and panicked a bit to sense that she was crying! 
I couldn’t have smelt that bad surely… 
I did not let go, did not utter a word, but in my heart asked her if she wanted to tell me anything. And I cannot put to words the warmth that filled my heart the second after I asked that question!! As if in reply!
As we let go of the embrace, she was beaming and so was I!! It was spookily awesome. Trust Crafty to kill the moment with her ill-timed attempt at humor, “Whew! So we passed the lesbian test! We didn’t go to the smooch level!” 
After her customary punch on my arm, she told me that there was something that had been bothering her since few months, but could not put in words, to share. And it felt like she let go of it when we hugged. We never even spoke of it. But she said she feels like she has, and so feels relieved. Am I glad it happened! Now when we call up, we ask each other “When do we meet up for hugs?” 
You must have read of how a hug is therapeutic. And it’s proven scientifically too. I won’t bore you with that!
What Crafty wants to request, is for you to Go and hug someone… Just to set yourself free of inhibitions. It feels great! Go spook someone. You will spook them only for few seconds, trust me! They will roll their eyes, act like they did not care, or were creeped out, or consider you are mad; but the next time you hug, you will not see resistance! Ideally, try this with someone of the opposite sex. And when you hug, try concentrating on what you want to say to this person in your heart. Replace your “physical consciousness” by focussing on the words in your heart for this person. It won’t seem that weird or difficult!
Disclaimer: Crafty assumes all who attempt this will do so with prior permission of the opposite person. Any sandal / shoe attack reports will not be entertained here. Hospital bills will not be entertained either.
I feel the hug is our easiest way to the soul of the opposite person. And we say so many things with a hug – “I love you”, “I’m glad to see you”, “You are a wonderful person”, “I’ve been waiting for you”, “I will protect you” “I don’t want you to go” … Spare the words, Give the hugs!!
I wish for a world where a hug is not doubted upon… doesn’t hold a sexual connotation… is not considered as “an opportunity to feel up someone”. It’s the purest expression of love. Love of all kinds. I think it’s time we shed the inhibitions of physical proximity that a hug calls for, focus on connecting deeper. It’s a conversation between souls.
Can we break the inhibition?! Make it a tradition! Start at home… take it to your friends… spook them, creep them, gross them out, amuse them, delight them … and get ready for requests of hugs the next time you don’t give it to them yourself!
Since hugs is a given feature at Crafty’s blog… let me add something more this time!!!
There was a beautiful campaign done called the Free Hugs Campaign by Juan Mann. Click on the link to read more of it.
The Illustrated Guide to Free Hugs
This is the book of the Free Hugs campaign. Its a PDF version of an awesome compilation of anecdotes and showcase of different types of hugs and the body language involved, and what it connotes! Go see what kinds of hugs you have given so far, what kinds have you received, and what’s on your wishlist!!
Jiya Se Jiya – By A R Rahman
Apart from a brilliant composition, this AR Rahman song has a video of the Free Hugs campaign. I loved it! I want to dedicate this song to all those reading this post! (Thanks for sharing this song with me EOG! You get Special Hugs and your fav smiley too – )
That’s it. I am done talking!! Can we get down to business??
*Crafty awaits with arms thrown open*
)
No Silence Pliss!