So, what’s up with the Global Hug Tour? I think the most honest answer to that question is to explain that we’re going through the same things in life that you are. In other words, while enthusiasm and belief are strong, time and money are limited. It’s a big project with a lot of moving pieces.
Imagine the planning that would go into a two-week vacation to Europe. Now make that a 5-month trip with 50 events worldwide and you have the picture of the task we’ve been facing. The logistics alone are staggering, let alone adding in things like weather patterns and safety issues.
Did we bite off more than we can chew? Maybe. Are we going to let that stop us? Never!
We’ve talked with sponsors who are enthusiastic to support us because this kind of project has never been done before, but are also leery because, you guessed it, this has never been done before. We’ve tried to wrap our heads around this project like we already have with our hearts, and the massive amount of work seems overwhelming at times.
I’m reminded of when we launched our website, InspireMeToday.com. We were in the process of gathering inspiration from Luminaries to feature each day. I didn’t want to launch until we had 120 days- 4 months of daily content in the can. However after waiting and waiting until everything was perfect, we decided to launch with just 20 Luminaries and trust that we would figure it out as we went. You know what?
Everything lined up, one Luminary referred another and we’ve had a waiting list ever since. And it all happened because we took the first step, with faith.
We’ve been waiting to launch the Global Hug Tour until we can afford the perfect airplane, until we can find the perfect sponsor, until, until, until. In the meantime, the world needs the inspiration, tangible donation dollars and love, not to mention the hugs.
So, with little more than a great deal of faith, we’re launching the Global Hug Tour. As many things in life can appear overwhelming, we all know the best technique is to break it down into smaller, more manageable portions and then start on the first one now.
I mentor others on how to take an idea and bring it to reality. My number one piece of advice is to take the first step, even if you don’t know what the second step will be- just take the first step! You can climb the biggest mountain, one baby step at a time.
Our team has an expression- “If you’re going to eat an elephant, you have to do it one bite at a time. While I’m not advocating that anyone actually eat an elephant, the concept remains the same. Take the first bite. Take the first step. Yet here I am, waiting until everything is perfect to start. That’s just silly!
A natural consequence of getting started is that the pieces of the rest of the puzzle will suddenly appear obvious and easily align, once we’ve placed the first ones on the table.
So, our preliminary plan is this: YES, we’re still going the whole way around the world, but it will take much longer to do so under the new plan. We’ve had an overwhelming amount of requests for us to visit South America, Africa, Australia and New Zealand- none of which were on the original tour. We’ve had requests for many more cities in North America too. We asked, you answered and we’re listening.
We’ll start with the North American Global Hug Tour first, followed by the European tour, the Middle East and Africa tour, then the Pacific/Asia tour, followed by the South American tour after we return back to the US.
This new tour schedule will be spread out in two to five-month chunks through the next few years, but will allow us to focus on one region at a time and make a greater impact. Details are coming soon!
Our entire reason for doing this is to make a positive difference in the world, to highlight the wisdom from all corners of the globe and to celebrate our commonalities. To do that properly we need to spend more time than a day or so in each city. If you’re going to do it, do it right!
We’re planning to begin the North American Global Hug Tour this fall, with stops along the west coast. Stay tuned for the exact dates to be announced very soon! Depending upon the amount of buzz generated and the reception locally, we’ll then take the tour to the rest of North America and then to the world, one region at a time.
And so with this transparent email, I’m sharing with you what’s been stopping us so far, and also explaining the leap of faith we’re now taking to make this happen. I know you understand, because chances are, you’re going through something similar in your own life.
I’m writing to ask you to jump off the ledge with me with your own project. What baby step could you take that would open the door for you? What bite of your own elephant could you take today? What one action could you take that would move you closer to your dream? Go do it!
I encourage you to step off the ledge with me, in faith, and together let’s go make our dreams happen. The world not only needs our dreams too, but it has been waiting long enough. Let’s go make it happen together!
Gail, thanks so much! I love your blog. it continues to hold out a wonderful, hopeful perspective about what humans can accomplish if we believe our dreams and goals more than we listen to the fear. A year ago the dream was a 2000 mile move half-way across the country by myself. Today…after a wonderful weekend workshop in my field as a botanist/ecologist, it’s about graduate school. i’ve thought about it for years and, as a friend of mine once said, “you just might have to scratch that itch.” So…..graduate work in ecology, studying the systems and plants I love so well, and hopefully helping us all to figure out how to walk more gently upon this beautiful, incredible, unique planet we call home. Not sure yet how /where to get there, but i can tell it’s where my heart is.
love you.
liza
Hi Gail,
Great blog! It gave me the answer I was looking for. This morning I asked God to give me a sign about taking another step toward my goal and your blog gave me that sign.
Thank you and best of luck with the Global Hug Tour!
Gail, Every little step of this project has been a success and a learning experience. Like life, it will take on a life of it’s own and lead to unexpected and interesting experiences. What a fun ride it will be.
Hello Gail
Greetings from South Africa 😉 Thank you for posting your email. I asked for something meaningful to stand up off the PC screen this morning, along with being grateful for what I am creating in my life.
I am planning to travel through SA as a single mom, road-schooling my two children, and simply having fun and adventure with my two favourite human beings, and becoming connected with our very diverse culture (11 official languages) and having the privilege of experiencing how people live and breathe in our beautiful country. It is an unuasual thing to travel alone here, unlike in America where there are RV’s and RV parks. I will be travelling in a small mobile home and staying in various camping sites.
We’re leaving in less than 4 weeks. I nearly delayed the journey because I was waiting for other people to get their lives organised, until I realised that I was doing that “thing” again. Waiting until others were OK and sorted and then I would do XYZ…. Once I realised my usual patterns were emerging, I shared with both people that I am going,, and am not waiting for their circumstances to change. And then the ball started rolling! And yes, it’s in the planning and DOING that there is relief and miracles start manifesting powerfully. Taking the first step is scary and at the same time so powerful, and the ripple effect causes more ripples.
All the very best with your Global Hug Tour, I think it’s a wonderful possibility you’ve created for the world. I love hugging people, and am a magnet for receiving hugs. I will be hugging as many people as I am able to on our journey. I’ve subscribed to your blog and will keep reading your progress.. Much love, Lisa
To all, thank you for your kind comments. I am grateful that this blog has touched your heart.
Liza, bravo to you and good luck with “scratching that itch”! You have made monumental changes in your life in the last year and things just keep improving for you. I believe in you completely and know that if you do choose grad school, it will be yet another wonderful experience in your life. Thank you again for your comments.
Jessica, glad to hear you’re moving forward with your dream. Feel free to share it with us so that we can support you!
Brett, yes, it’s been a fun ride. Some days I wish it would be a bit more predictable, but as you said, life certainly leads to unexpected and interesting experiences. Thanks for your continued support.
Lisa, your note touched my heart. I took off with my kids on a mini tour of the US back in 1993. Although it was only 6 weeks, it was an incredible experience for the three of us. We were looking for “home” and ended up leaving Los Angeles and moving to the mountains. I applaud you for your courage to step out and just do it- without knowing the how of all of the pieces. Isn’t it great fun when the pieces of life show up? Please keep us posted on your adventure!
To all of you, thank you for opening your hearts and for sharing your dreams and thoughts with me. I’m honored to have you as a part of this wonderful family.
Love and hugs,
Gail
Hello,
I think the changes to the Global hug tour are and will be amazing!!!
Lisa have a wonderful time travelling with your children…..I love stories like yours , they are soooo inspiring and you and your children will learn and grow so much.
Take Care and keep Hugging
Love Lisa xx
Gail:
Hip, Hip, Hooray!
I am so excited to see the Global Hug Tour get started. It will be wonderful and you are so right that when you take the first step everything else falls into place. I’m so happy to figure out whatever I can do to help.
Kim
Hi, Gail,
I think I responded and commented to your incredible work and callled you Karen! Sorry. That was meant for you. I hope you can pick it up, somehow.
You are amazing!! If you ever want to give me a second look (I think you would be glad you did) you can call me at 865-397-0705 or email me at marydonachygoff @aol.com. I think I have a lot to share that can be of inspiration so many and believe me, I’m trying. Of course, I will never be able to match your wonderful spirit.
Hugs back to you!
Mary Kathryn
Gail
Hello from Ireland!
Every day I am amazed at what God puts in front of me. At this moment I am just finished writing a book about my life which is inspirational and motivational. I hired an authors coach in California to help me with the process as i wanted to inspire women to show them how although i have suffered pain, heartache and tradgedy I have been able to lift myself to great heights to show i am not a victim but i have empowered myself to go forward and help others. Yet during my trip to California for the final touches to the book I got news that my beloved baby brother of 30yrs has 2/3 months to live. I really had to dig deep not to fly home and comfort him but to finish what i had gone to all the way to California to do. Indeed in this time i felt Gods presence very close and i was greatful for that and meditation to empower me through to the end. Now the book is in editing and everyday i am getting beautiful things sent to me like your Global Hug tour. thank you so much.
Roslyn
Credit you championing details. It helped me in my mission