Hug Someone You Love Today: And the Simple Certainties of Life

By Michael A. Pickles

During my fourth year of teaching, I had the great privilege of working with an amazing educator by the name of Miss Bezanson. She taught a grade four class to whom I taught Physical Education. Therefore, I had the opportunity to socialize with her on a daily basis. About six months into the school year, Miss Bezanson gave me something that would forever change my teaching techniques and my life, although I did not realize it at that moment.

One afternoon, I was in Miss Bezansons class discussing a student who was displaying increasing behavioural problems in my Physical Education class. Sensing that I was experiencing tremendous stress as a result of this student, she gave me something that touched my heart and reinforced an important life lesson. She handed me a small paper card entitled Hug Someone You Love Today.

That was it! No preachy sermon or fancy teaching strategies. At that moment, I realized that maybe all that child needed was a simple hug. A sign of affection which he may or may not have been receiving at home. So the next day, I gave him a Hug Someone You Love Today card. From that day forward, I never had another major problem with that student. It was absolutely amazing.

In this book, I will share with you some of the heart-felt, true stories that I have accumulated over the years as a result of passing out these Hug Someone You Love Today cards along to those in need. These are stories about normal folks like you and I, whose lives have been positively changed as a result of receiving this simple card. As you read these stories, hopefully you will begin to feel more peaceful and loving yourself.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Oct 11, 2017
• ISBN: 9781490785011

Michael A. Pickles

Michael A. Pickles (BA, BEd, MEd) has been teaching for 23 years in Canada, twice in South America (Guyana and Ecuador) and once in Malawi, Africa. Michael has also co-authored a book entitled “The Path to Success” alongside “The Secret” guru Sandy Forster. He dedicates this book to his amazing son Sebastian. Michael may be contacted directly at [e-mail].

Book preview

© Copyright 2017 Michael A. Pickles.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

ISBN: 978-1-4907-8498-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4907-8499-1 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4907-8501-1 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017914955

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Trafford rev. 10/04/2017

22970.png www.trafford.com

North America & international

toll-free: 1 888 232 4444 (USA & Canada)

fax: [phone]

Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments:

About Mike the Author

What’s the Deal with Hugs Anyway?

A Train Ride to Happiness

Random Hugs of Kindness

Hugged by an Angel

Sherry the PSW

Twice That Many Hugs Per Day

Between Gramma and her Grandkids

A Taxi Driver’s Kindness

Chocolate Kisses

The Healing Power of Faith

A Hug or Handshake

An Unforgettable Gift

Egg Salad Sandwiches

Only a Phone Call Away

My Power as a Woman

Find Your Roger Bannister Within

A Promise is a Promise

Earning a Child’s Trust

Slow but Steady Wins the Race

Biological Siblings

A Gut Feeling

I Do Not Do Hugs

Philosophically Speaking

A Collective Kitchen

Changing the World One Pencil at a Time

A Hug on the Dance Floor

My Furry Creatures

A Giant`s Hug

Healthy Hemoglobin

Daddy’s Garrison Boots

From Dust to Dust

Teetl’it Gwich’in from Teetl’it Zheh

A Collection of Heart Shaped Symbols

The Value of a 20 Dollar Bill

After the Tsunami

A Lifting Hug

The Spirit of UBUNTU

If Only …

Long Overdue Sailing Trip

Lick Your Wounds

Arely Feels the Hugs

The Human Body is a Miracle

Embrace the Unknown

All Aboard the HugTrain

Mike’s Top 10 Reading Picks

Money Magic

Self-Development Tips

Small Youth Making a BIG Difference

Powerful Quotations

to Ponder

Mike’s Motivational Mentors

Read YOUR Story in Mike`s Next Hug Book

Action Steps for You to Put into Practice

Also by Mike Pickles

Closing Remarks

Book Mike For Your Next Engagement

Hug Someone You Love Today Testimonials

Reader’s Personal Notes

Preface

I would like to share a personal story with you, one that touched me deeply and demonstrates the definitive message behind this book, "Hug Someone You Love Today: And the Simple Certainties of Life", as well as my first book, "Hug Someone You Love Today: And How to Leave Your Personal Signature". As you will clearly see, the events of this story planted the seeds for both remarkable readings.

During my fourth year of teaching, I had the great privilege of working with an amazing lady, an educator by the name of Miss Bezanson. She taught a grade four class to whom I taught Physical Education. About six months into the school year, Miss Bezanson gave me something that would forever change my teaching practices and my life- although I did not realize it at that moment.

One afternoon, I was in Miss Bezanson’s class discussing a student who was displaying increasing behavioral problems in my Physical Education class. Sensing I was experiencing tremendous stress, she gave me something that touched my heart and reinforced an important life lesson. She handed me a small paper card entitled Hug Someone You Love Today.

That was it! No preachy sermon or fancy teaching strategies. At that moment, I realized that maybe all that child needed was a simple hug, a sign of affection, which he may or may not have been receiving at home. So, the next day, I gave him a Hug Someone You Love Today card. From that day forward, I never had another major incident. It was amazing - a small miracle!

I never forgot that life-changing experience with Miss Bezanson so many years ago. To this day, I continue to collect hug stories from people; stories about normal folks like you and me, whose lives have been positively changed because of receiving or giving a simple hug. As a result, my first book, "Hug Someone You Love Today: And How to Leave Your Personal Signature" was written. I’d now like to share with you, my second book, "Hug Someone You Love Today: And the Simple Certainties of Life."

The purpose of these two books is to inspire you to be happy, to live a life filled with purpose and to act. As you read these touching stories, hopefully, you will begin to feel more peaceful and more loving. Life doesn’t just happen to you- you make it happen.

So, please re-read "Hug Someone You Love Today: And the Simple Certainties of Life" as many times as necessary to stay enriched, motivated and inspired. This book is my personal gift to you. I hope it positively changes your life. If it does, please pass it along to someone else. Loan them your personal copy or buy them their own copy. Together we can change the world one hug at a time.

Acknowledgments:

This astonishing book has been a personal journey and an extension of my first book, "Hug Someone You Love Today: And How to Leave Your Personal Signature". To say this book was solely written by Mike Pickles is far from the truth. No book can be written without the contribution and assistance of many others. Countless people have helped me with this book or influenced some of the ideas that are found in it, that this book would surely not have been written without you. So, thank you to everyone for your generous contributions.

First and foremost, I want to thank and acknowledge everyone who submitted their hug stories to me, without which this book would never have been written. You are truly the essence of this book. Thank you all so very much for sharing your touching stories!

A heartfelt thank you goes out to my publishing team Trafford Publishing, who put up with all the endless corrections, revisions and deadlines. Also, a special thank you to my check-in coordinator Aisha Barrett, who kept me on track. Thank you all so very much!