YOUR LIFE A-Z NEED

LIFE NEEDS LIGHT TO GROW

NEED

Before we start down this road of exploration, it is important to pay attention to what your body experiences when you read this "N" word.  Do you experience a negative sensation in your body?  Do judgements rush to the foreground of your mind?  It is important to explore your judgements, ideas, and feeling about the word NEED.  What are your needs?  Can you say them out loud?  List three really specific needs. For instance, say "I need to feel loved."  What does that look like, feel like, and what actions are required for you to know you are loved?  Is it financial security?  Think about that. If financial security is a necessity for you to experience feeling loved, then what happens to your feeling of love if circumstances drastically change and your partner can no longer provide for you?  Or what happens to your self-love if your financial situation changes?  Do you trash yourself or do you just flat-out pretend you don't need anything?  How does that work for you?  To not admit that you need anything is a very sad position to live in because it essentially means you are not willing to risk anything.  In one sense it is such a guarded position that is a very selfish position. One of the roots of selfishness is protection or defence, and to not acknowledge your needs.  If you are thirsty and need water what do you do?  Do you go get a drink of water or do you expect someone else to bring you water?  The answer to that question tells you a lot about yourself.  Learn to be bold with what you need?

YOUR LIFE A-Z: MEANINGFUL

DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN TO CONNECT IN MEANINGFUL WAYS

MEANINGFUL

What is it that makes your life meaningful and what is meaningful to you?  This word wraps nicely around gratitude because as we think about it, the word MEANINGFUL probably brings to mind things like family, children, friendships, good health, honest values, trustworthiness, and freedom.  As you reflect further on the word you might extract valuables from the periphery of the word and realize that a piece of jewelry or art,because of the occasion or giver, is very meaningful to you. You might also remember trips in your life that were MEANINGFUL and certain milestones, such as graduation from high school, baptism, commitment ceremonies, or special birthdays that were a part of creating you into the person you are today.  In one sense of the word, MEANINFULNESS sneaks up on us and just happens but we can create meaning too.  If you are feeling lost, bored, lonely, and struggling to find MEANINGFULNESS in your life today, then get out of yourself.  Go out and make someone else smile.  Go find a homeless person and bring them some lunch.  Look online and donate to a specific cause that’s meaningful to you.  Call up some one who might like to hear your cheery voice, say, “Hey, just checking in to see how you are doing?”  MEANINGFUL moments create MEANINGFUL lives.  Don’t sit around and feel sorry for yourself.  Get out and do something to make someone else feel better.  As a result, you will feel better because you made your life count today.  Today is all you have.