Emily is Smiling

I actually completed Day 4's challenge on Day 5 because I stayed home sick, and I couldn't very well go around hugging strangers when I was contagious.  Probably not the kindest gesture to give.  Coincidentally, Ali was sick too!  So we both decided to complete two challenges on Day 5 instead of risking getting anybody else sick.  Best friends share everything, including colds, right? :)

I had in mind not to hug a complete stranger today.  Instead, I wanted to hug some underclassmen that I didn't know very well. Hugs make everyone's day brighter, and I really need to branch out and meet some of the younger kids in my high school.   However, I was faced with a problem.  My school has recently come up with a rule that nobody is allowed to hug anymore.  I'm not even joking.  So hugging a student during school hours would be breaking a school rule and disobeying authority.  My next plan was to go to a nursing home and hug random people, but my heart was set on hugging underclassmen. 

Luckily, today was a National Honor Society meeting at lunch- and I don't think lunch counts as school hours- so I managed to hug some girls there.  It was fun to hug them, and not like I felt obligated to hug those girls because of the challenge.  I love hugging.

Hugging is very important.  Check out this cute quote:

"Hugging is healthy: it helps the body's immun[e] system, it keeps you healthier, it cures depression, it reduces stress, it induces sleep, it's invigorating, it's rejuvenating, it has no unpleasant side effects, and hugging is nothing less than a miracle drug.  Hugging is all natural: it is organic, naturally sweet, it has no pesticides, no preservatives, no artificial ingredients, and it is 100% wholesome.  Hugging is practically perfect: there are no movable parts, no batteries to replace, no periodic check-ups, has low energy consumption, high energy yield, is inflation-proof, non-fattening, has no monthly payments, no insurance requirements, is theft-proof, non-taxable, non-polluting, and is, of course, fully refundable." - Sharon Lindsey

Me: Ali, did you hug anyone today?

Ali: I went up to a girl and said hi to her, and I hugged her.  She wasn't a complete stranger, but she was definitely a girl I'd never talked to.  She looked at me and smiled and said hi back.

Me: Did you learn anything from hugging people you didn't know very well?

Ali: I think it was encouraging to me and it was also encouraging to her.  It was encouraging to me because, like, because I like giving hugs.  And it was encouraging to her- I think- because, I mean, receiving hugs is nice, and when people hug you, it just makes you feel special.

Did you have fun hugging people?  Did you hug a complete stranger or someone you didn't know very well?