Abraham Maslow, psychologist, humanist, circa mid-1900’s.

He is most noted for his hierarchy of needs that he developed in an attempt to explain the behaviors governing human motivation.

It is my experience that you can have some of the higher needs met without one or more of the lower needs intact, that is, assuming at some point previously during life the needs at the bottom of the pyramid were met. (Otherwise, at least according to Maslow, you wouldn’t have been able to reach the other levels.)

Why am I writing about this hierarchy of needs? Mostly because I am pissed and frustrated. I have a group of people, and one in particular, that are expecting me to do things that I don’t think I am capable of at this particular point in my life.

I am finally learning to live life on terms that are defined by the nature of life itself: unpredictability and uncertainty. I am staying sober, praying, spending time with my family, working on building a solid future both financially and personally, repairing relationships and trying to give of myself whenever possible. To some this is apparently not enough.

How does this tie in with Maslow? I am struggling to meet some of my basic needs (mostly because I completely fucked myself financially while I was using) and right now finding a way to meet those most basic of needs is my number one priority. Once those basic needs are met - notice it’s the foundation of the pyramid - I feel strongly I will be able to meet the expectations of these people who are very important in my life. I keep being told that if I give to others, these things will come. I don’t buy it - at least not in my current circumstances.

I can’t very well help others if I can not yet help myself. Progress is certain, the speed in which it comes it not.

Posted on August 8th, 2007 by The User
Filed under: Life Can Suck, Addiction