Leo Buscaglia

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around"

This is a quote that has become the backbone of how I approach life. The smallest act of goodwill can really make an person's day worthwhile, the little things that you don't even realise you do can brighten their day. I believe that it should be everyone's goal to take time (even if it's a few seconds), to make another individual feel cared about. I have come to realise that a beaming smile really does go along way and people look forward to seeing it because it makes them feel happy. My smile is famous in these neck of the woods!

You don't have to go completely out of your way, donate money, organise a huge event or spend hours of your time devoted to changing the world. I recommend just being cheerful and showing an interest in others. Thinking about others also makes you feel better within yourself, which leads to becoming a better person, and more cheerful without needing to go to great lengths to do so.

"It's not enough to have lived. We should be determined to live for something. May I suggest that it be creating joy for others, sharing what we have for the betterment of personkind, bringing hope to the lost and love to the lonely"

Leo Buscaglia (above) set up a foundation in 1984, to try and build community spirit. The foundation 'helps people to help others'. In other words, it works with a variety of different projects and organisations by aiding them with funding. This then allows them to help the causes they are passionate about. If you are playing an active role in helping others then you will be rewarded by the foundation helping you; this is the way it works. I personally think this concept is a really good idea because, the people behind the scenes and the caring individuals are getting recognised and supported for their dedication and positive work. Foundations like these are organisations I need to look in to and keep in my contact bank because they will be very useful in the future when I get involved in various projects which cannot go ahead without funding, or if I am looking to set up and create schemes on my own.

The non-profit organisations that the foundation present grants to are often small and helping their own local communities with the projects they construct. More often than not, they have to prove that the people they are benefiting, will also go on to help others. This concept reminds me of the film; 'Pay it forward'. If it isn't possible for a 'Pay it forward' theory to be adopted, the foundation give heavily volunteer based schemes a chance.

As far as I understand, the Leo Buscaglia foundation relies on donations, which then get distributed to the separate organisations.

A Window Between Worlds – Venice, CA. Received a grant to support their Women's and Children's Windows Program. The program "uses the gift of art as a catalyst for healing in the lives of domestic violence survivors."

For Kids Foundation – Reno, NV. Received a grant to help pay for needed goods or services, including surgical procedures, dental care, summer school, counselling, medical prescriptions and clothing for children who are unable to fulfil those needs any other way.

Inside Out Community Arts – Venice, CA. Received a grant to support their School Project program of visual and performing arts workshops, performances and festivals to give youth the tools, confidence and inspiration to make a positive difference in their communities and the world.

 

I chose 3 from the progress report list that I thought were the most relevant to what I am researching. These projects/organisations were given the chance to develop and really make a difference to the lives of others. They have proved themselves through the foundation and it makes them proud to have contributed and helped create success and compassion.

My next aim along these guidelines is to find an English foundation/organisation who do the same thing; not including the Arts Council.

Setting up my own foundation and guiding smaller or up-and-coming charities/projects/schemes is a career path I never considered before, but one that sounds appealing to me as I would get the opportunity to be very diverse in who I help and in what way I do so. I would also be able to travel to each project and see first hand how my grant has helped. The one problem with this is funding myself. I can't see how I would be able to make a profit off this in order to cover the cost of paying myself a wage. It is definitely something to look in to as there may be a career path that incorporates roles such as this one.

Leo Buscaglia was a truly inspirational man who has touched many people's lives and certainly lived up to the caring words he spoke all those years ago:

 "Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around... It's not enough to have lived. We should be determined to live for something. May I suggest that it be creating joy for others, sharing what we have for the betterment of personkind, bringing hope to the lost and love to the lonely" - Leo Buscaglia (1924 to 1998)