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?

Today's challenge was pretty simple, as it was a Sunday and Ali and I were at church.  We both were able to compliment people before the service even started!  I liked this challenge because it encouraged us to go out of our loop of church friends and greet somebody new.

I complimented a lady's necklace.  It made my day to see the look of gratitude come over her face when I let her know that I acknowledged how cute she looked and how I knew she had worked hard on her appearance for church.  I love the visible rise in self-confidence that comes over someone when you compliment their appearance.  I love to be complimented- it makes me feel good- so I know that other ladies like to be complimented as well.

Me: Ali, what happened with you today?

Ali: We went to church and we were getting coffee, and the lady behind us had a cute dress on, and I had never met her.  So I turned around I said hi... with a smile!  I complimented her dress, which was way cute.  She looked grateful that I complimented her dress, and I think it made her feel good.  It makes me feel good when people compliment me.

Me: And what did you learn from this experience?

Ali: I learned that you can make someone smile by complimenting them.  Everyone likes to feel good about something they do or wear, so I will try to compliment more people more often.

What did you learn today?  Do you have any fun stories?  Be sure to check out my YouTube channel to see more personalized stories of each day's experiences.