So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable.
~ Christopher Reeve
Almost a year ago we had the vision for the Global Hug Tour…..
2 people in a small prop plane, flying 31,000 miles around the world on a 5-month tour to gather inspiration, deliver 100,000 hugs and share millions with important non-profit causes.
We created a preliminary flight plan, an itinerary, identified the non-profits we wanted to help and actively searched for the funding. Knowing the cause was great; we created a team and believed the funding would show up.
It was much less important to know how it would happen than it was for us to understand why we were doing this.
Many of you have generously sponsored hugs for $10 on our site. Rest assured, every penny is in a dedicated account, untouched, waiting to be delivered to the causes once the tour begins.
We choose not to use any of these funds for the operational cost of the tour but rather fund the tour through sponsorship.
We knocked on the doors of corporate American only to be told, “Times are tough”. One company told us that what they love the most about the Global Hug Tour is that it’s never been done before, it’s crazy and it’s unproven. They went on to tell us that they can’t fund it because it’s never been done before, it’s crazy and it’s unproven. They were afraid to sponsor it for exactly the same reasons they loved it! They want to be first in line to sponsor Global Hug Tour #2, but we need funding for #1 or there won’t be a #2.
Over the last few months you may have noticed changes on the website where we’ve revamped the plan, downsized the tour and tried to make it more “doable”. Unfortunately, with each change, I became more disillusioned. As much as I tried, I couldn’t find the passion to do anything less then the original version.
Two weeks ago I had the opportunity to interview Guy Laliberte, founder of Cirque du Soleil. Interestingly enough, our interview via Skype took place while he was at the cosmonaut training facility in Star City, Russia, just an hour from Moscow, as he was in the final days of training for his 12-day mission to the International Space Center, blasting off on September 30th.
Guy is a man who doesn’t think small and who isn’t afraid of life. He plays BIG in everything that he does.
My interview with Guy was a reminder of what makes each one of us great. It was a wake up call for me that my playing small benefits no one.
For the past 6 months associates with good intentions, recommended that we down size the tour. With each compromise I felt like I was selling out.
Instead of holding onto my faith and the original dream that came to us, I whittled it down to fit in the possibility box of others. It was such a big idea that people were having a hard time wrapping their head around it. It was easier for them if we broke it down into segments. I allowed my size of my dream to be dictated by what others deemed possible. As the dream morphed into baby chunks and individual places, it lost the magic and luster for me of how it was born in the first place!
This dream came from asking ourselves, “What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail? How can we be of the greatest service to the world?” It never was about “What do we think we can do!”
I am committed to the vision that wants to be born through us. Believing that with faith and belief anything is possible, the last thing I want to do is compromise! I would rather do something and do it right, or not do it at all. Play big and play full-out, or go home.
The Global Hug Tour is a story that scares some people because it challenges their understanding of what’s possible. But, this story also captures the imagination because it is an outrageous idea!
Just as in 2006 we didn’t know how we were going to create and deliver all 18 miles of the World’s Longest Letter of Love and Support to our troops on a month-long tour to Iraq, today we don’t know how we’ll pull off the Global Hug Tour either.
Unfortunately, I had expectations. This process has been a lesson in letting go. I planned out the timing and was embarrassed when it didn’t show up as it “should” have.
My lesson in this is that the timing of the Universe and my timing may not always coincide. However, just because the timing is off- that doesn’t mean the dream is wrong or should be compromised, or that I should stop working to make it happen as it originally came to us.
I know from past experience that when the timing isn’t right, it just means the Universe has something better in store for us. Divine timing is always right!
My brother-in-law has a saying that everything works out in the end. If it hasn’t worked out yet, it’s not yet the end. So, I’m holding onto the original dream, in the form in which it came to us, and being open to finding a way to make it happen. You’ll notice the original dream is back on our website, where it should be.
What I can tell you is that the Global Hug Tour will happen. What I can’t tell you is when. This is in the hands of something much bigger than me.
And for me, in my surrender to the greater will of the Universe, there is peace. I know we’re back on track to bring this to the world.
I’m now at the point where I’m ready to allow it to happen rather than trying to make it happen. This Global Hug Tour has taken on a life of it’s own. It may have come through us, but it does not belong to us. This is here for the benefit of the whole wide world.
Funny thing is, by releasing my attachment to making this happen, I think something just shifted that will bring the funding to us with grace and with ease. Isn’t that how it always works anyway?
I am grateful to you for your continual love and support. We’ll keep you posted on the progress of the Global Hug Tour and I know that soon, we’ll get this off the ground- literally.
As always, your love and support are so greatly appreciated!
Hi Gail, It’s my pleasure to be the first person to comment on this post just as it was my honor to be the first to embrace your idea of the Global Hug Tour. Whether or not The Global Hug Tour is your next endeavor or you are opening up your schedule so that something else wonderful will come next, I know this is the right decision for you… right now. It takes great strength and foresight to pause, breathe and be patient enough to wait for the right time so I commend you. Perhaps the vision of The Global Hug Tour itself was the important thing that was supposed to happen over the past year? I look forward to seeing what’s next for you!
Warmly,
Angie
@aaswartz
Square Martini Media
Gail, from the moment I met you and had the most fortunate opportunity to come to Boulder and brainstorm with you… there’s never been a doubt in my mind that “it shall be”… and it shall be just as you originally imagined it. I’m thrilled to see that you’ve chosen to take a stand for your dream as you see it.. and as you know it… and how you envision it. I absolutely applaud you with a standing ovation for taking back YOUR dream! And, here’s all I know… you are soooooooo doing the right thing by going completely with what feels right. Don’t do it any other way 🙂
Love you,
Darcy
THAT was the question you asked me that night at Altitude: “If you knew you couldn’t fail…”
I have to say, as your plans diminished, I started to deflate a bit, as well. I thought it would be great to see you when you came through on the modified version of the hug tour, but I also felt sad that the original plans had been set aside. I don’t see the Global Hug Tour NOT happening the way you originally planned. It has already happened in time. Our human selves just haven’t caught up to that time.
Otherwise, it wouldn’t feel so real.
Gail, we too have learned it is in the letting go and allowing a dream to unfold is when it opens the veil in the universe for our dreams to follow. We have had a dream of formiing an intentional healing community and a creative experiential therapeutic park(I know that is long, but, encompassing!) for all ages and abilities, for over 20 years. We can see it, therefore, I know in my heart, mind, and soul it is to be whether it is in my future I do not know, I just know it IS, therefor it WILL be. You have been an inspiration to others to creating dreams, so I am happy you have stepped back from “trying”,or, “making” it happen, and “allowing” the dream to unfold, to blossom in its own sweet time. LT
Gail,
Keep your dream big. Think bigger, not smaller as you move forward toward your visions. To bring visions to fruition, needs careful identifying of the energy in front of you, not careful planning – at least not at this stage! As you know, the bigger the dream the less you know about how it will unfold, your job is to listen and then have action based upon what you hear.
I was gone most of the summer, during your upsize and downsize turmoil but I so appreciate the emotional drama it causes. Now, follow your heart, listen intently. I’m excited to hear what is next.
Michelle
Big dreams require big spaces in which to grow. There is still magic in this world – and miracles. I have absolute faith in your vision Gail, and as always, you have my unconditional love and support. Setbacks, delay, disappointment and challenges are expected – and they are welcome – they test our readiness to accept the richness of life’s many blessings. One of those blessings has been your cherished friendship, to me, and to us all. Thank you for sharing your dreams and hopes with us, and know that you have indeed inspired us and touched our hearts. You are dearly loved.
Your friend,
Thomas
Gail,
You are inspiring because of your incredible vision of what can be in the world. Your determination and faith ignite the same in us, encouraging us to keep going towards our dreams. The Global Hug Tour will unfold as the Universe intends. I am so delighted and honored to support this fabulous adventure!
Elaine Starling
Amen! I was sold on the Global Hug Tour when we first met in January at Affiliate Summit and I’m still sold on the original idea for Global Hug Tour. I will continue to support you and your original vision, and I’m also sure it will come to pass as it should. BIG HUGS!!!
Gail,
I would expect nothing less from you than 100% dedication to your true vision backed with action. Anything else, such as compromising your vision, would not be you. As with all things, it will all work out, and most likely not in the ways we plan.
Hugs,
Brett
@brettgreene
Gail,
Such a heartfelt, wonderful post. …all in DIVINE TIMING!
The verse that keeps coming to mind as I read your post “To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven” [Ecc. 3:1]
Here for you..and when we’re ready to ROLL, you know I’m there to support the GHT!!
Much Love,
Duong
Hi Gail,
Sincere gratitude to you (on behalf of so many of us!) for allowing this dream to become a reality! And best wishes to you and your husband as you continue to believe and trust in abundance and right timing.
Here’s a great quote to share with you by Norman Vincent Peale: “Throw your heart over the fence and the rest will follow.” Awesome!
I’m cheering you on in love and support,
Michelle
Michelle, thank you. Your note was especially timely today as I received it just as I was walking into a strategy meeting with our team on the Global Hug Tour. Your support made me feel hugged! THANK YOU for reaching out with such love and support. I greatly appreciate you!
Hugs!