I'm declaring 2011 - The Year of the Hug

It's been a long time since I've posted anything. I guess that is what happens when you get a job and have to live up to the things you promised you could do in your interview. Besides me going back to work, lots of changes in the 'hood. New neighbors moving in, old neighbors moving out. It's been bittersweet.

When you live in a condo building (like ours) it is only natural that you form relationships with your neighbors. We have been and still are - so very lucky to have very kind neighbors. Not just the kind you say hello to on the stairs, but the kind that you actually would go out with or share a bottle of wine because it's a Tuesday night. The kind of neighbors where you become friends and know what is going on in each others lives - no, not the nosy stuff - the good stuff.

Don't get me wrong - there are some whack jobs that live in our building too. I mean really, is it that hard to actually say hello when I see you walking down the street or at the liquor store? The guy behind the counter at Binny's knows my name (and birth date) and he even asks me how I'm doing and tells me I'm almost due for my Binny points to earn me yet another discount. He cares.

I guess I just don't understand miserable people. You know the kind - they are the first to interject negative comments in a conversation, the first to tell you all about their "woe is me" life, the first to pick out even the tiniest problem out of a bucket full of wonderful. I think I would be miserable if I were homeless. But then again, the guy selling Streetwise on the corner by my office always has a smile on his face. The paraplegic who rolls his wheelchair onto my bus in the morning - he smiles and says good  morning. What does it take to make the Debby Downers of this world positive?

I am a naturally positive person. It really bothers me when people are mean or subject me to their negativity. I don't play well with others who are like this. My usual response is to kill them with kindness. It usually just confuses them - but I feel better. I want to share a video that always makes me smile. I especially like the transition between black and white to color when the first little old lady gives the guy a hug.

Free Hugs Campaign

I think I am going to make 2011 the year of the hug. Bear hug, pat on the back hug, one arm hug, whatever it takes -  I'm on a mission to turn that frown upside down.