Il y a beaucoup d'histoires à partager avec vous chers lecteurs mais ces derniers mois m'ont gardé si occupé que je n'ai même pas eu le temps de transcrire mes notes dans mon journal. La grande nouvelle est que j'ai fini la traduction française de mon livre Hugging Life et je l'ai publier. Le livre s'intitule Embrasser la vie : un guide pratique sur l'art de câliner Dans le mois qui suit je partagerai les aventures de ces derniers mois avec vous.
visiter www.embrasserlavie.com pour découvrir le livre.

So much has happened in the past 6 months that i have not had time to transcribe my note in my journal. One major event was that I finish the French translation of my book and published it. It was launched a few weeks ago and is doing very well in terms of media attention and public responce. I have a little more time now so I will be shaaring my recent adventures with you all over the next month.

I received an email form one of the guests that was at the wedding reception yesterday. She was so moved by the content of my reading that she will send my book to the producers of Channel One, the Body, Mind and Spirit Network. She thinks that my work and writings on hugging and loving kindness would be perfect for their network. Wouldn’t that be something my own hugging show, it would be so cool. Why not, stranger things have happened.

What will come, will come and I hope to have the wisdom to receive the opportunities that are sent to me with gratitude in my heart and a clear presence of mind.

After some reflection on the reading that I did yesterday and because of the supportive response that I received, I have decided to making my future readings an interactive experience. This will prepare me for the workshops and motivational speaking engagements that I want to begin offering in the near future.

Jade and I went to Stan and Kathryn’s wedding today, where I did my first book reading. Atfer a simple and intimate ceremony and a delicious buffet the time was rip for the reading.

The atmosphere was very cozy and relaxed which was good because it eased my nerves. I had installed myself in a comfy chair near the fireplace as everyone else gathered around. After the hosts' introduction I found myself filled with a delightful sense of joy as I was sharing with the guests my journey as the Hugger Busker and how Hugging Life came about. The fact that Jade was there comforted me greatly here presence has a pleasantly calming effect on me. I then sat and read from several sections of the book. The reading went really well, I was surprised at how serene I was and how easily I expressed myself. I was speaking from the heart and that is what made it flow.

I had a little surprise in store for the love couple. As I ended the reading I invited everyone come ito pairs and I lead them through the Mindfulness Hug. I followed it with a group hug in which I had all the guests surround the married couple and extend their loving and joyful energy to them. It was a very moving and powerful experience for all. Stan who is not a hugger was misty eyed by the end of it. Everyone was very receptive and respectful through out, it was a beautiful experience for me and I think for the others as well. I am very grateful to Stan and Kathryn for allowing me to honor their love in such a creative and heartfelt way.

Many of the guests came afterwards, some shy some excited, to have their book signed by me. It was a very surreal experience as I have seen many book signings but to actually be the author doing the honors was a thrilling yet humbling experience. I am not used to this kind of attention. Yes I get a lot of attention as the Hugger Busker giving hugs but this is different. To have someone cherish my writing enough that they would want me, Martin, to write a personal word for them, on a work of my creation, touches me deeply. My dreams are slow unfolding before me and so are the moments of profound happiness.

Well according to Jade the fly of my pants was unzipped through out the reading and she did not know how to tell me so she said nothing and then promptly forgot about it.. So there I was doing my first reading, speaking of unconditional love with my fly wide open. Now that puts everything into perspective. Haaaa!

I brought a copy of my book to a psychologist friend today. He runs an integral health and wellness center called Brooklyn Heights with his partner Kathryn. Stan had read an early draft of my book and critiqued it from a psychological perspective. They loved the finished book and asked if they could make it available for their clients to purchase at the center. I was certainly delight by the offer and readily agreed.

But more than that this coming Sunday Stan and Kathryn were having a private ceremony to renew their wedding vows and they wanted to offer a copy of Hugging Life to each of the couples that would be attending their ceremony of love and bonding. I was honored that they chose to offer my book as a token of remembrance of this celebration. I offered to do a reading from the book at the reception. They gladly accepted. It will be my first reading and I am very excited and a bit nervous as well, as I want it to a memorable part of this special day of rekindled love.

Rain, Rain, Rain. It has been raining non stop for over a week now and it does not look like it will let up for at least another week. Well at least Montreal is not flooded. My heart goes out to all those in New England who have suffered because of the flooding there. I am a little disappointed that the weather is keeping me from hugging but at least it will give me time to finish my web site and prepare my book launch.

I am to set up the Lost & Found section of my book web site - www.hugginglife.com - . This section is about following the journey of five lost book just waiting to be found. I will place or “lose” five numbered copies of the book in different public places for people to find. A note in the book advises who ever finds a copy to lose it again after reading it and to come to the web site to note the when and where of their find so that the book’s travels can be tracked. It is a long term adventure.

I have been invited by Mary Stark of the Contactivity Centre and City Councillor Tom Thompson of the Healthy City Project to give hugs and do a book signing at Family Day in the Park, a yearly event in Westmount Park, hosted by the City of Westmount.

This is a wonderful event that should be a lot of fun for kids and parents alike as there will be many booths and activities organized by a broad number of community organizations.. I hope that it is a warm and sunny as I am looking forward to launching my hugging season in a festive environment where community spirit and togetherness is promoted.

Westmount Park- City of Westmount, Satruday May 27, 2006, 9:30am - 3:30pm

I received a call today from someone whom I have directed to Indigo to buy my book and when they got there they were told by the sales person that book did not exist in their system. Well it seems that when you go to Indigo Books to buy my book, Hugging Life - A Practical Guide to Artful Hugging, and you ask the store’s staff in what section it is they can’t help you because they don’t know either. Apparently the book is not in their system. Why, because it seems that local books taken on consignment are not included in Indigo’s main data base. Only the national office can include a book in their inventory and on their web site. But they usually only include books that come from established publishers or distributors.

Chain stores don’t generally dealing with self-published authors because we apparently can’t guarantee quantity and quality. It has been a problem for me because I’ve sent out hundreds of emails telling people to go to the Indigo to by the book but I never mentioned that it was in the Self Help section under N for Neufeld. So people are showing up to get a copy and none of the sales staff know where it is. It really sucks. I am hoping that the national office will love my book and agree to put my book into their system so that at least it can be made available to readers in that store if not in other locations across the country and on their web site.

Last spring the Mayor of Montreal brought the Princess Margreit of the Netherlands to see me with Her entourage. I did not give the Princess a hug but did kiss Her Royal hand. I wrote about the exchange in my book so I thought that I would offer a signed copy of Hugging Life to the Mayor. Today, I dropped of a copy at city hall, I couldn’t give it to him personally but I was assured that he receive that afternoon.

I talked to someone in the communications department at City hall to see if they would officially sanction or promote the Hugger Busker in some form. I told then that there are thousands of photos of me with our City Hall in the background circulate the internet. The Hugger Busker has appeared in a number of international travel magazines, television shows and websites that highlight Montreal. As such I consider myself a worthy ambassador for Montréal both locally and internationally. Everyday locals and travelers search me out for a hug and many tourist guides bring their tour groups to me on a weekly basis, year after year. The Hugger Busker is in my eyes a worthy representative of the warm hearted welcoming spirit of Montreal. They said that they would get back to me. We shall see if they do.

Well it seems that The Hugger Busker has been voted by the readers of the Montreal Mirror one of the ten best buskers in Montreal. This blog has also been voted one of the ten best blogs. That is so cool that so many took the time to vote for me. Maybe there are more people reading this then I know. Haaa!

When I write my thoughts and experiences here sitting in my artsy Old Montreal loft, listening to Astor Piazzola and drinking a cup of hot Masala Chai I feel very solitary and safe in my sanctuary. Though I share myself with the world it does not feel like I am revealing too much or too little, nor do I feel vulnerable. Like hugging I open my heart freely and receive generosity and kindness in return. Here I express my inner and outer experiences and receive appreciation and respect. I am an integral part of this world and a being equal to all others as I reveal and share myself I discover my humanity in all it colors and hues.

Thank you to all those who voted for The Hugger Busker and for my blog. I hope that you all come by for a hug this summer.

Today has been a day of great news.

First, Indigo Books downtown (corner Saint-Catherine & McGill College) took Hugging Life. YES!! They took 10 copies on consignment to start with. If they sell they will order more. So I have to tell all my friends to tell all their friends to go to Indigo Books and get a copy. I have my book in a legitimate bookstore. My excitement is like that of a kid with a new toy. I feel energized and bubbling with hope and excitement. I know it won’t last forever but I am enjoying it will I feel it.

Second, Amazon.com will list my book on their site, it might take a few weeks before it is on there but it will be.

Thirdly, I found the solution to how I would sell my book while I was hugging. It was an issue because I did not feel comfortable selling books between free hugs. There is something in that equation that does not sit well with me. How then do I to promote my book without letting the act of selling it interfere with my work. I know people will want to buy a copy but how to go about it. I have been in a quandary over this issue for weeks. The perfect solution was right in front of me all along, quite literally. There is a small flower kiosk and juice bar on the square about ten yards in front of where I give hugs. Finally I hit on the idea of asking the owners of the flower kiosk if they would carry the book. That way I could have one copy on display and direct anyone interested to purchase it to the flower shop. The owner of the shop agreed to it to try it out. Now I can place all of my heart and attention on giving my public the warm, loving hugs.

I received my books today all 2500 copies. WOW!! I am giddy with excitement. I am finally a published author even if I am self-published.

I spent the morning stacking boxes and boxes of books along the walls of my loft. Now The work of getting the book out there begins. I really feel that Hugging Life – A Practical Guide to Artful Hugging will be a wonderful gift book. Intuitively I sense that the book will get its best promotion through word of mouth and recommendations more then through traditional means. Though I must still take steps towards promoting the book, like I am doing here or with the book web site, or sending out emails to those who wrote to my guestbook.

I know that I must be very patient and let the nature of the universe guide its journey as the Universe has guide my journey these past two years. I do have faith that Hugging Life will in time reach a wide international audience because it was written from the heart and has the potential to inspire and touch the hearts of those who read it. At least that is the reactions that I received from the many people of diverse backgrounds who read my preliminary drafts.

Apart from a deep feeling of personal achievement I hold no expectations and simply do what my intuition leads me to do. Right now, I am over come with joyful exuberance and pride that for the first time in my life I finished something that I started and did it well.

Like a proud father I have been carrying my new baby around with me everywhere since I got it. I even took it with me when I went hugging. It has been a good weekend for hugging. There are quite a few student groups from out of town at this time of the year. And they all come for hugs and photos so I have been giving out many bookmarks.

Today I put the finishing touches to www.hugginglife.com the new web site for my book It is very representative of the style and quality of the book. On the site you will find excerpts from the book, my bio, a testimonial section and a Paypal page where the book can purchase directly online. Now it will be easy for anyone who is interested to find out about the book before getting it. I have also created a fun little adventure called Lost & Found where five numbered copies of the book are lost in selected locations and their journey through the hands of different readers is being followed. That will be put into action in the next week or two once my books arrive.

The interview I did for the Metro last week came out today. I was very pleased with it. There was a beautiful photo and the quotes she used were fun. I always get nervous before opening a paper to read an interview. There I was sitting on my suitcase reading when suddenly Jade, my sweetie, surprised me by wrapping her arms around me. I love these impromptu visits she makes. She looked beautiful and very elegant in her form-fitting two piece black suit and silver tie. I had just enough time to read her the interview before she ran off back to work.

Several people came by for hugs after reading the article. It is always the case when ever I get press more local people come for hugs. This makes me happy because it legitimizes what I do. It tells people that I am ok and that hugging me is safe and good. I wonder why they don’t hug each other, why there is such a need for The Hugger Busker. The why does not matter it is the doing that matters. I will give hugs for as long as it bring s me and other joy and comfort, which could be forever I suppose. Haaaa!

I received a sample copy of my book today. I was so nervous that I went to see Jade at work and opened the UPS package with her. We stood there marveling silently at the two copies for a few minutes. To hold in my hands the fruition of 5 months of work is awe inspiring. It looks and feels so much nicer then I had expected. The cover design and texture is very warm and attractive to feel and look at. I am pleased with the choices I made all around, the paper, the font, the illustrations, the cover image and finish. I am very happy with the final result. Five months of work and it has all come together so beautifully.

It is quite something to begin with an idea, nurture it, bring it to life watch it grow and flourish before your very eyes to finally become a tangible reality. Writing Hugging Life has been a long and intense experience yet incredibly fulfilling and empowering. It has been a work of heart and I really hope that the book touches people as deeply as giving hugs does.

"Just like hugs, laughter makes life joyful!"

I was invited to give hugs at the Just for Laughs Press Conference today. It was a hoot with all these comedians and the media lining up for hugs. It was an interesting morning as I found myself at the center of attention yet I was so very peaceful within. I do enjoy watching the faces of people light up when they hug me. Each smile each happy face that leave my embrace brings so much pleasure to my heart.

The host of the press conference came for a hug and wants me to be one of the street acts for the Just for Laughs Festival in July, maybe even welcome the festival goers as they arrive to the site. She has to pitch the idea to the powers that be but if it worked out it would be so very cool. I have always enjoyed the street performers at the Festival of years past … better wait for their call before I become to excited about the idea… but still it is nice to dream.

Since I have begun loving my world unconditionally all my dreams have been coming true, so everything is possible it is our heart's desire.