Leo Buscaglia, Ph. D., who has written 13 books, most of which deal with the experience of love has this to say... I was one of those fortunate individuals who grew up in a large, passionate, demonstrative Italian family where we were taught to love as naturally as we breathed and ate giant bowls of pasta! It was amazing to me that there were those around who had not been quite so fortunate. I could not help but wonder, "Is all lost for them?"..Of course, in my search for this answer, I discovered that since love is a learned phenomenon, it is never too late to learn to love... I therefore started my Love Class as a result of the suicide of one of my most talented students... She showed no sign of her despair.. Then one day she simply took her life.. I had to ask, "What's the good of all our learning, knowing how to read and write and to spell, if no one ever teaches us the value of life, of our uniqueness, and personal dignity?"..So I started my Love Class.. I taught it free of salary and tuition, just so that students could have a forum to consider the truly essential things... I just facilitated, helping students to discover their own magic... So many of the teachings, books, and songs tell us the same thing that love is the answer.. In the final analysis, love is the only thing that really matters... It is the only thing we take with us when we leave. But we all unfortunately take love for granted.. We assume that we are all perfect lovers and all we need do is wait and our love will grow and blossom as readily as a flower in spring.. Not so.. Love doesn't grow unless we do.. It takes patience, knowledge, experience, determination, and every positive trait we possess... In addition, love is always changing and unless we stay aware and change with it, it eludes us.. We are all born with God-given, unique traits and skills.. But, as with all possibilities they will remain unrealized unless they are developed, nurtured, and put into practice.. You may have the "capacity" to love, but if left undeveloped, you will never gain the "ability.".. A life of love is one of continual growth, where the doors and windows of experience are always open to the wonder and magic that life offers.. To love is to risk living fully.. My love has never had a condition, except that if ever my love keeps you from you, from your growing and realizing your own personal potential then I must step aside.. No one has the right to stand in the way of another's joy, development, or uniqueness.. We live in a small and networked world.. Not a leaf falls that does not effect a myriad of things.. When we reach out to someone in love and the effect is made - everyone, everything which comes in contact with the person we've affected is better for it.. Of course, the converse is true, too...The essence of love is getting out of oneself and into others.. When we care less about our own feelings, our rights, our happiness, our security, etc., and begin to concern ourselves with the feelings, rights, happiness and security of others, we will truly have found the true power of love.. Some simple every day things we could do to bring more love into our lives includes asking ourselves daily what we have done to make the world a better place, to make someone smile, to help someone to feel more secure, etc. It's the simple things which have the greatest effect.. We must never underestimate the strength of a smile or act of kindness.. We create healthy, loving relationships by caring enough to work on them as diligently as we would, if we wanted to perfect a game of golf or tennis or become a gourmet chef.. These things don't just happen.. They require continuous work..Yes, we are born for love but love will die if we do not nurture love constantly.. I am inspired by other people...You can't imagine the joy I feel when I hear that something I've said or done or written has helped others to regain their sense of dignity, to motivate them to develop their unique potential, to encourage them to reach out to others in distress and make them realize that true love emerges from within.. I have learned that love is the most powerful force available to us.. When we have real love we have the strength to perform miracles.. I'd like to be remembered for being a good, kind, loving, gentleman who attempted to live wisely and who cared a lot..I'm living more fully than ever and am discovering new magic every day because of love.. I have never felt so alive!.. I hope this message inspires you to experience greater happiness within you, in life and enjoy every second of your fantastic life.
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