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Why do we protect children from life? It's no wonder that we become afraid to live. We're not told what life really is. We're not told that life is joy and wonder and magic and even rapture, if you can get involved enough. We're not told that life is also pain, misery, despair, unhappiness, and tears. I don't know about you, but I don't want to miss any of it. I want to embrace life, and I want to find out what it's all about. I wouldn't want to go through life without knowing what it is to cry.
Leo Buscaglia
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote emphasizes the importance of experiencing all aspects of life, including both joy and pain.

In this quote, Leo Buscaglia challenges the tendency to shield children from the realities of life, suggesting that a full understanding of existence includes embracing both its joys and sorrows. By acknowledging life's dual nature, he argues that individuals can fully engage with the richness of experience, allowing for a deeper appreciation of both happiness and sadness. Rather than fearing life's challenges, Buscaglia advocates for embracing them as essential aspects of personal growth and understanding.

Themes

LifeExperienceJoyPainGrowthEmbrace

In practice

Example use cases

In a motivational speech about life's challenges.

More from Leo Buscaglia

It is paradoxical that many educators and parents still differentiate between a time for learning and a time for play without seeing the vital connection between them.
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Life is a great and wondrous mystery, and the only thing we know that we have for sure is what is right here right now. Don't miss it.
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Only when we give joyfully, without hesitation or thought of gain, can we truly know what love means.
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Life lived for tomorrow will always be just a day away from being realized.
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Don't spend your precious time asking "Why isn't the world a better place?" It will only be time wasted. The question to ask is "How can I make it better?" To that there is an answer.
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To love others you must first love yourself.
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