As I read the post I reblogged from Otrazhenie, it made me think about this concept of differences between groups of people. It is ‘top of mind’ for me as I prepare to go on a short trip to Manitoulin Island and work with a First Nations community there. It further resonates due to a Healing Care Group of which I was a part earlier this year.

Every human being has certain basic needs.  Here’s a visual of Maslow’s Heirarchy of Needs

The one missing piece is God. If you believe as I do that we are created in the image of our Creator, then ultimately ALL of these needs are met in and through Him.  But, life on planet earth is a process of 70+ years of learning and we all make a lot of mistakes whenever we try to meet these God-given needs in ways outside of the prescribed “best practices” noted in the Bible. The cult of individuality and independence is deified in western culture, so dependency upon anyone or anything is  viewed as weakness. And yet…

How many truly fulfilled people do we find among the rich, famous and successful in our midst. They are all well-balanced, in meaningful lifelong relationships and are happier and more content than anyone else.  Not!

So then if you are intent on living an “examined life” then why not prayerfully reflect on – needs vs wants. Us vs them. Good choices vs bad ones. And the consequences thereof. What you want to change and how you intend to do so. What you have and what you want to have. Who you are and who you want to be.

Etcetera.