Need

What do I deserve?
What do I really need?
I dare to speak as though I know a great deal about the nature of a human being because I am one. Also I am reviewing a bit of what we can learn from Abraham Maslow.

One of the ways in which health may be approached is through the concept of need. 'Need' is a word so only contains the energy we put into it. It may be no more useful than is 'lack,' or 'want' or a number of other words, but for the moment I choose need.

When I want it in my head, in my hand, in my heart, when I want it all over, I probably need it.
If, when I don't have it, I get sick, I probably need it.
If I tend to stay well when I have it, it is probably a need.
If when I ge it back I begin to feel better, it is probably a need of mine.
If I usually prefer it over a number of other things I find good, I probaby need it.

Now, what in the world is it? What is it?
To know it I need to discover it, acnowledge it, identify it, to recognize it, to clarify it.

To do this recognizing, clarifying, etc. we may use some of the info from above. In many cases you have probaby already done so. If you are sick or dying you might check the quality and uantity of the food, air, water, shelter, sex, and sleep you are getting. We already know lots of its. I believe we can benefit by attending a bit more to some of them.
If I am dreaming about one of them, when it is my main present interest, when it is uppermost in my memory, when my stronger emotions relate to it, when it is the first think that takes my eye, when it is what I want, then I probably really need it.
When the lack of something is negatively effecting my physi cal or mental health, I need it. My health is my responsibility. I have the righ to alliviate certain lacks. I deserve to fill certain needs.

Naming needs is often helpful. Various ways of doing so are more or less helpful. We might sort them into kinds. What kinds of needs are there? Maslow has suggested some by name. He has divided into the following caegories: physical(like the ones we just looked at), safety, love, esteem, the desire to know and understand, beauty, and what he has called self-sctualization.

We may look at needs in many different ways. The more helpful ways are often the ones we call systematic. Being sysematic helps us to know what we are doing, where we have been, where we are headed.

My environment effects the my needs. I live in a society so I may have social needs. Social needs I have discoverd include, freedom, justice, honesty, fairness, and order. Kinds of freedom needs may include freedom to speak out, freedom to inquire, freedom to defend myelf.

Maybe I'll find the strength and will to post more about needs and their fulfillment soon. Love fulfillment may prove inresting.