“What a man can be, he must be. This need we call self-actualization.” Abraham Maslow

Here’s my take of Maslow’s theory from the ground up:

I started talking dude before I can remember, when I was just a little dude. Maybe that’s an attachment theory by-product I don’t know… somewhere along the way, early on, I stepped beyond the physiological basics – breathing, food, water… and on to the next level of dude. Yes, this is the basic building block in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Let’s take a look at the further progression in the life of dude…

The second block up the road to fully developed is centered on the theme of safety or security. Most folks find this to be sort of second-nature, like the physiological needs, once they reach adulthood. Prior to reaching adult status we are pretty dependent on other people to provide these basic needs. Still, this is the low hanging fruit, the stuff that many of us take for granted at times in our daily walk – personal and financial security, good health, and developing a safety net for the times of crisis.

Maslow contended that, as an individual, if we have to spend considerable time and effort tending to these most basic needs that we can’t progress further up the ladder toward self-actualization, and being all that we can be. I get that part, it makes sense when you consider the struggles and setbacks that so many in the world today face with famine, plagues or even cancer, and natural disasters.

Next comes the need for love and belonging. This is where life gets interpersonal. We develop relations within our families, with friends and more intimate relationships too. Some small and large groups of people can fulfill these needs within our community or even in part through an online social network. This category fills many of our social needs, including acceptance.

Life gets more complex at this point… call it the onset of existential anxiety in the absence of authenticity… or the realization that we need something more than ourselves to experience fulfillment in this life. That whole notion, to me anyway, is placed in the heart and soul by the One who defines love – our Lord and Savior.

It is interesting to me in my rather brief study of Maslow’s theory how the “needs” develop from taking to giving at this point in the pyramid. Healthy, pure, unconditional love is given and not taken as the previous needs are defined. Remember, it is in giving that we receive…

Esteem is next to the top of the food chain of needs. This has to start within oneself, and then as an outward expression of respect for others. Feelings of personal accomplishment and achievement fit in here too.

The down side of this esteem thing, in our world today, seems to be despair, or a loss of hope. Hope. Where do we find that one? Yep, there is just one place we find hope. Knowing God is in control gives me hope. We have hope in God’s nature and promise…

Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of His purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, He confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. Hebrews 6:17-20

And about that respect thing…

Self-actualization is at the top of the pyramid in Maslow’s theory. It is achieved by people with healthy personalities and minds. Maslow believed that for an individual to understand this level of need they would have to master the previous needs. Further, self-actualization may for the basis of our calling or reaching our full potential – sometimes. Who’s to say the widow raising 5 children in the slums of Haiti isn’t fulfilling God’s will while continually stuck trying to meet basic needs for her family. Or my friends in the Bahamas who look forward to fishing every Wednesday afternoon – perfectly content to be living in the Lord and well below our standard for poverty. Indeed, from their point of view, they are living the dream of self-actualization – maybe they have all the rest of the building blocks here, and maybe they don’t – but they have certainly found contentment and have God’s hope in their hearts.

Noticing things…

So where do people get hung up on the road to self-actualization? Many lose out at the turning point from taking to giving. You see, self-actualization as a concept is fine once we realize it’s not all about me. Once we learn and then put into action love and respect our self and then others, the door is open. That all centers on identifying with our Maker and what Jesus taught us. I’m jumping on the soap box and letting you know -  Reaching your full potential to self-actualization and being great centers on love and respect. (Click To Tweet)

Why do I mention all of this?

“A musician must make music, an artist must paint, a poet must write, if he is to be ultimately at peace with himself.” Abraham Maslow

So it’s about finding hope… and peace, within our self and in the world around us. It’s also about identifying with our Maker and focusing on our calling.

The Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to His disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:30-32

Self-actualization can’t be achieved by the self-righteous any more that it can by the one who is stuck grasping to fulfill their basic needs. While I admire Maslow’s work and the basis for it, a study of highly “successful” people including Albert Einstein, Jane Addams, Eleanor Roosevelt and Frederick Douglass, many intellectuals face a different battle in their quest for achievement, success and identity.

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe. Ephesians 2:18-19

Where there is Jesus, there is hope. There is also direction, contentment and peace that transcends understanding. That, to me, is the full meaning of life. Finding His way and plan for me, as the Lord gave me my spiritual gifts and talents to use to His glory. It’s really not all that much about me, when you put it in the proper context. It’s all about where you find your identity. Do you find that in yourself, or in Jesus? That, to me, is the centering of self-actualization – where do we find our identity?

Image courtesy of J. Finkelstein on wikipedia.com

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A view from Royal Island to the land of hope

Today I’m excited to be a guest at Eileen Knowles’ blog, The Scenic Route.

The Bigger Picture Of Hope? Today I’m writing about two opposite perspectives on religion, happiness and hope. I also share about an inspiring work trip to Northern Eleuthera in The Bahamas. On that trip several years ago I learned a life lesson from some pretty cool people who live in third-world conditions. Their hope showed me with confidence the end of the story to the pursuit of true happiness. Please follow this link to read the whole ball of wax.

Many thanks to Eileen for her hospitality today! Eileen is “on the move” – literally and figuratively, having just relocated to North Georgia! Please visit her blog often and enjoy The Scenic Route…

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Will you be taking the next step?

Easter is a special kind of holiday for many. As we remember Jesus and what He did for us on the cross, we’re reminded that we have an opportunity for a new beginning.

He gave us hope.

We remember that, without Jesus, we would be lost.

There are no exceptions.

God’s finished work in Jesus’ life, death and resurrection is our opportunity to step through the open door where He stands waiting.

It’s up to each of us to decide, and take the first step.

Incredible miracles happen each and every day. Sometimes it seems like God’s will is so obvious we should just know how to proceed, but we resist. When we finally decide to do things His way… the pieces fall into place… good things start to happen. It is very much like what Psalm 22 says, we step from suffering to joy.

You can be sure there will be new challenges ahead.

Few would offer testimony that the way of the follower of Jesus is always an easy road.

Worthwhile? Indeed.

Psalm 22 is a neat little package that includes posterity… encouragement to look beyond our own situation to share the riches of abundance with the future generations. The greatest example to them is how we live our lives… every day of the week.

The Easter conversation at the family dinner… did you go to church? Seeing in the mind’s eye to a personal relationship with Jesus… and the invitation that is open to everyone.

Thankful.

Taking the spirit of remembrance all the way around the calendar.

It Is Finished.

Is there anything holding you back from finishing strong?

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I’m taking the next two weeks off from posting new material here at I’m Just Thinkin’, to enjoy the holidays and spend extra time with my family and friends. I would encourage you to do the same. Be back on January 3rd.

Sandy Hook Heroes

Until then, here are the two things that I’ll always remember from this Christmas season:

• The little kids. Sad. How do we turn something good from this tragedy in Newtown? Please watch this very short video interview with Andy Stanley. Our national and personal conscience and the centering of right from wrong potentially benefits from tragic events like this… if that’s a rational choice we make. Andy says it’s in the power of the Christmas story that we find hope to move forward… through the innocence and vulnerability we strive to understand, relate to and see in the newborn King, Jesus.
• The power of the Christmas story brings hope. Not a typo. Yep, I repeated some of the last sentence of the previous paragraph. Why? The beauty of the Gospel is everywhere we look. I see it in my life every single day. Stick around and I’ll be sharing more about what I’m learning on my journey…

In the mean time, please consider signing here up for email updates (Santa is on his way you know!).

“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.” Luke 2:14

Don’t forget to put out lots of milk and cookies for the jolly old fellow 🙂

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

The post Two Things I Will Always Remember From This Christmas Season first appeared on I'm Just Thinkin'.

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Enter the earthquake into the situation: now their stressed environment is broken. And one might ask… why in the world would the good Lord allow something like this to happen?

I really don’t proclaim to know what the message is but I’m just thinkin’… maybe we should stop for a minute to reflect on our situation. If you consider the economic crisis that we’re going through, and how so many of us have had to adjust and learn to live a different lifestyle, maybe the message has something to do with this…

“… we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.” – Romans 5:3-4

Being grateful in tough times is one of the hardest things to do, we tend to think “why in the world is this happening?” and perhaps we should be praying “thank you Lord for this opportunity to grow!”

Finally, I wanted to ask that you continue to do what you can to help the people of Haiti. Remember, their fragile world is still broken, and it will be quite some time before they can even get back to the life they knew before the earthquake. Living Water is one of the many great causes that is helping out there. Please consider helping our brothers and sisters in Haiti in whatever way you can. Also, if you’re interested in hydrogeology check out my other professional website!

Thanks, and Be Great!!

Chris

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