In mid 2007, my work with an I.T. firm took me to the city of
Seattle, USA.This is a city that has been home to some of the greatest music
acts the world has ever known. From bands like Nirvana that introduced the
world to grunge music to alternative acts like Soundgarden, Pearl Jam and more
recently Macklemore
& Ryan Lewis—Seattle is a city that has inspired
many a musician. Here I was, a fledgling singer, wide-eyed and excited,
scouring the city for my next musical inspiration. I had chosen to live in the
city and not in the suburbs like most of my other Indian co-workers, because I
felt the city was more alive… with street performers at every corner, a buzzing nightlife
and vibrant markets.
One evening as I was walking home after work, I noticed an
old man sitting by himself. Bright balloons and a teddy bear, surrounded him
and he held a cardboard sign. I squinted and read the colourful letters
aloud “Free Hugs.” ‘Free Hugs’? How does that work? Intrigued, I
went up to the old man and initiated a conversation.
“Hi there! What’s
‘Free Hugs’? What are you doing this for?” I asked.
“ Hello young lady!
I give free hugs to
whoever wants one. I’m just an old man who wants to spread
a little love and sunshine in this world. The world is a dark
place, it needs more people that care… I come here everyday at this time.”
“That’s
such a beautiful thing to do! How long have you been doing this?”
“Oh for many years now! After my
children left, I’ve led a lonely life. I know there
are a lot of other lonely people in the world as well who could use a hug.
Sometimes people have had a bad day and there’s
no one to go to. It’s the least I can do to help people
break the walls that surround them and reach out to one another.”
“And you don’t
get paid for this I guess?”
“Only in smiles,” he said with a toothy grin.
With a smile, I extended my arms out for a hug. It was a
nice, warm friendly hug in the middle of a crowded street. I felt pure joy at being
a part of this simple act of kindness from a stranger. In this world where money
and time are a priority, here was someone whose
only agenda was to spread sunshine.
There was a Starbucks nearby and I hopped over to buy both of
us a coffee. The least I could do on that cold day was warm the hands of the
man who had spent most of his life warming so
many hearts.
I
was so inspired by this man and his story, that I wrote a blues song, “Free Hugs” that made it to my debut
album. Here’s what it went like…
Free Hugs
Alone I stand on the
corner street,
Expressionless
passing eyes,
I bare my heart and
soul to you,
I'm wearing no disguise..no!
Won't ask you any
questions,
Won't offer you no
advice,
My heart is open to
anyone,
This is real, no
device..no device.
Free hugs, nothing
in return…
You may be brown,
black or white…
Where it's dark and
some hearts burn,
Let’s all spread a little light.
Did your old man
leave you?
A broken heart to
mend?
Do you need a
shoulder to cry on ?
Or the comfort of a
friend?
I ask not where you
come from,
I ask not where you
go,
The glimmer of
sadness in your eyes,
Speaks all there is
to know…
Free hugs, nothing
in return…
You may be brown,
black or white…
Where it's dark and
some hearts burn,
Let’s all spread a little light.
The frowns turn
upside down,
The teardrops
disappear,
As your hand reaches
out for mine,
The dark skies start
to clear.
Our hearts heal
together,
Shadows creep away,
Heaven's arms are
open,
The dark lord starts
to fray...
Free hugs, nothing
in return…
You may be brown,
black or white…
Where it's dark and
some hearts burn,
Let’s all spread a little light.
The story didn’t end there. On returning to India a
year later, some
friends and I organised a Free Hugs campaign in Pune,
the city I lived in at that point. This was post the Mumbai terror attacks and it
was our way of passing forward the message of love and hope.
It’s been over 5 years since I met the
old man from Seattle and yet, every time I sing my song “Free Hugs” on stage, I see his face with that toothy grin, holding the
old cardboard sign endearingly asking, “ A free hug for you today sir?”
**Note: Article first written for and published by Happy Tripping ( I am a guest writer with them). Read the article on the Happy tripping website here
