Saturday, November 22, 2008

Being fully human - accepting 9 aspects of life

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Becoming fully human, in my interpretation of Leo Buscaglia's book Personhood, challenge us to look at life as great gift and good - because of what it enables us to give others - rather than what we are getting out of it.

It encourages us to re-assess our perspective on the nine (9) aspects of life that includes:

  • Death
    "When we can embrace death as simply another aspect of the life cycle, we will give appreciation and value to each life encounter knowing that it will never occur again."

  • Self-determination
    "We must embrace ourselves as we are and as we have the potential to become before we can embrace life or others."

  • Connectiveness
    "Even the most insignificant act we perform will have some effect upon the world."

  • Purpose
    "Each act makes us manifest. It is what we do, rather than what we feel, or say we do, that reflects who and what we truly are. Each of our acts makes a statement as to our purpose."

  • Communication
    "No one can know us unless we are willing and able to tell them through our actions, as well as our words, who we are. We must be constantly engaged in verbalizing through language, gesture, or action our ever changing selves."

  • Doubt and uncertainty
    "Be as welcoming of the new as we are comfortable with the old, as fearless of the unexpected as we are falsely secured in the planned."

  • Spirituality
    "Reach out with total trust and touch the God in all things."

  • Frustration and pain
    "Fully functioning persons have the courage and strength of their despair. It alerts them to action and change."

  • Intimacy and love
    "Recognizing the need for others. A means for reflecting your vast potential and sharing them with others. All of this while maintaining autonomy and be challenge by differences - which will continue to stimulate them to growth."
Videos featuring Leo Buscaglia

The Fall of Freddie the Leaf (discussing the topic of death)

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