Meet Melinda, the hugger! She’d moved to North Carolina, was feeling really lonely and was missing her family and friends terribly. They all used to hug each other a lot. She wanted that connection and warmth she had with her friends and family back home. So you know what she did? She decided to foster a similar connection with strangers she met in North Carolina by vowing to hug at least one person everyday for a year. Yep. Every single day. For a whole year.

It takes courage and a certain amount of openness and vulnerability to go up to someone and offer a hug. But look at what it’s done for her and the people she’s met. Looks like smiles all round. Plus she mentioned that when she hugs people who look like they’re having a bad day, she can feel their stress melting away.

What a beautiful gift in motion she is.

What’s more, she said some of the people she’s hugged are hugging other people more. It’s having a domino effect.

Melinda got through her whole year of sharing hugs and isn’t planning on stopping! It’s changed her life, she’s making people feel good and is feeling good in the process, so why should she stop?

“I feel like a millionaire that’s giving away their riches to someone who really needs it.”

Indeed she is. A million times over and then some.

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