Le Journal de M.Câlin - The Hugger Busker's Journal - 01 - 03, 2006

The Echo of Our Actions

info@huggerbusker.com (The Hugger Busker) — Wed, 15 Mar 2006 19:40:00 -0800

'If I make you smile or laugh or feel good then share it with others!'

How we act or react towards others as we go about our daily lives is important. Not only to our own peace of mind but to shaping our society as a whole. Offering a smile, a laugh or friendly gesture to others, for no other reason then to make them feel good as well is what makes for a meaningful living. At least that is how I like to approach my life. Being a professional observer of human nature I have witnessed and experienced first hand the echo effect that one individual's words, actions or attitude has on the others. It is direct and immediate even if it is on a very subtle level. That is why I delight in the concept of 'spontaneous acts of loving kindness. The sharing of unconditional love in a very public setting is fascinating yet disconcerting for many of us. We are so used to have invisible strings attached to the love that we give or receive that to receive love with out expectation or attachments is quite normal.

How unfortunate but we are the products of a society we have chosen to embrace. A society that promotes dissatisfaction and dis-ease in order for its economy to sustain itself, imagine for a second how many companies would go under if for one day no one bought anything that was not life sustaining. We are continuously bombarded with advertisements that seduce us into believing that we are not good enough as we are, that we are not beautiful enough as we are, that we can not be happy unless we have the newer, bigger and better. Augh!!! It pisses me off that we are the products of our own monster. That is in part why I give hugs to promote understanding and change in myself and others. It does not take much just a simple act of loving kindness can echo deeply into the lives of all you touch. It is always up to each of us individually to seek out the changes that we need to heal and nurture our being and our soul. It is not that we live in a loveless society it is that we has become too weary and even fearful of our capacity to love.

Writing in the Circle of Life!

info@huggerbusker.com (The Hugger Busker) — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 14:18:00 -0800

'Hugging is the perfect way to begin or end a day.'

The perfection of imperfection is this not a beautiful reality? Each of us with our own quirks and idiosyncrasies, with our dusty baggage and closeted skeletons, strive for a taste of happiness to brighten our lives, yet what we seek is at the tip of our tongue. I've been sipping my happiness in front of my computer, it has certainly brightened my life with its refreshing glow these past winter months. Not to say that I have not been happy I was and I am. In fact I am very excited with what I am making of my life.

I have been writing my book on hugging for the past 5 months and I just finished my second draft this morning. So yes I am delighted that this chapter in my life is finding its rightful place. It has been a struggle to simplify my thought, my feeling, and my experiences in a language that is simple, concise and engaging. I want to touch others with my words as beautifully as I touch them with my hugs. I had to let go of perfection, finding the perfect word or turn of phrase because perfection is illusory and undefined. It made go around and around in circles. Until I felt like madness or frustration or both ruled my brain. It is then when I begin to write circles around myself that I must stop, get out of my head and begin to write with my heart again. Then as the love that inhabits my hugs flow through me so does inspiration flow into my heart so that the words I pen may find deeper meaning. There is no perfect just a true expression of self or a false one, and even that is equally true of self. I'm writing in circles again, Oh well art imitates life and life is but a circle.

The Hugger's Carnivale

info@huggerbusker.com (The Hugger Busker) — Sat, 18 Feb 2006 20:03:00 -0800

'Today I've decided to embrace my dreams. What have you decided?'

I have a recurring dream that I am part of a traveling carnival, going from small town to small town, from country to country. I am one of the many weird and wonderful acts, I hugging people and teach prople how hug eachother all the while talking to then about the powerful magic of hugging. It is a strange, enchanting dream almost like a vision. I have it on and of for about a year now. It's kind of like the characters in that wonderful television series 'Carnivale.' It's out on DVD so if you have not seen it I highly recommend it. I have always loved working on period films, going back in time. I would love to play a role in a series of that nature. Where there is a struggle between good and evil, illusion and reality and nothing is at it seems. I have a strong affinity with those characters, people who have special gifts, unique talents but seems to the rest of the world as freaks, weirdoes or outsiders. I have always felt like an outsider even when I was a child. Always trying to fit in, to be part of the group but never finding my place. I am no longer interested in fitting in as I am very content being my weird, witty, independent, creative, innovative self. I suppose in some way I am creating my own 'Carnivale' out of life. lol

Hugging - an Ageless Pleasure

info@huggerbusker.com (The Hugger Busker) — Fri, 10 Feb 2006 23:59:00 -0800

'Each day is a new beginning , why not begin with love!'

Regularly The Hugger Busker is invited to give hugs at health and wellness events and retirement centers for the elderly. This Valentine's weekend I found myself at a large retirement home complex as the guest attraction for their annual Celebration of Love Day. Every one knew I was coming as it had been advertised for weeks before. They had me setting up in different areas of the complex in order to as many residents and visitors as possible in the 5 hour that I was there. Every where it is always the same reaction, I love it, when people first see me they will hesitate, but quickly their reticence evaporates into smile as I invite them to share an embrace. Realizing that my intention is a kind one they will approach letting me embrace them lovingly, they sigh deeply. Some will cry, others laugh, most will smile and a few will gripe and groan but they still come back for more. Many of these elderly folks have told me that the last tender hug they had shared was with their dearly departed spouse. For some it has been months for others years

There is a terrible need for affection and appreciation in the elderly, they who are mere shadows of their former selves, remain lonely and forgotten, sometimes by choice but usually it is by circumstance. We tend to brush them aside and forget them, because they are unproductive. What rubbish. We should not let them go so easily.In fact us younger ones should make it a point to say share a warm smile, a friendly greeting, lend a helping hand or even volunteer for the many great organizations that cater to the aged in our society. They built this world of ours with their joys and their tears so why not take a moment to show gratitude for their presence with us while they are still present.

Macy's Tree and The Kyoto Accord

info@huggerbusker.com (The Hugger Busker) — Sun, 08 Jan 2006 13:57:00 -0800

'As silence nurtures my spirit hugging nurtures my heart!'

It seems that a little media attention can go a long way. The full page newspaper articles, the national television coverage and the radio interviews that I have done since last summer have certainly helped promote and legitimize what I am doing. The Hugger Busker has received a number of offers all winter to give hugs at all kinds of commercial and charitable events. I have wanted to take my hugs on the road since last spring finally this winter I have had some every exciting offers. I was giving hugs at Union Square in San Francisco in November for Macy's Tree Lighting Ceremony and for Thanks Giving. A few weeks later I was in Montreal hugging 3000 international delegates and ministers who were in town for the Kyoto Accord. Giving heartfelt hugs on behalf of Canada was such an honor and so very coool!

I am looking forward to future events, to going back to the square in May to begin a new season of hugging, to shooting a documentary on The Hugger Busker in August, my book launch I have so many projects and ideas for 2006. With my illustrated book on the art of hugging to be published in April I am very excited. I hope that the media and the public react as favorably to my book as they have to my hugs. It was written with as much love and passion as I bring to my hugs. There are so many options and possibilities. How grateful I am to God for the abundance and inspiration that has come into my life and fulfilling life it is.

-m-