The Steps of Life

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Image result for maslow's hierarchy of needs
     A personality theory I thought was most interesting and preferable was Maslow's Theory. Maslow's Theory is the idea that, for a human to reach certain peaks in his life, he must go through a process of obtaining the essentials for surviving and prospering. Using a pyramid, he creates five different sections, the lowest or in other words the bare necessities of life in the first section, then each section after that evolving higher and higher on the scale of needs and desires, finally reach the top where there is a sense of purpose. 

     Looking at the picture above, you can easily see and understand Maslow's perspective on life and how we must go through it. I personally believe this is a fine and strong example of how we live. In order to focus on the bigger picture in life, we must fill all our needs. If you are starving or dehydrated, you definitely won't be thinking about passing your math final or hanging out with your friends. You'll be thinking about your next meal. If you are satisfied with thirst and hunger, but you live on a park bench in the city and it's pouring rain, you won't be trying to discover your purpose in life. You'll be searching for the closest 7/11 gas station with a nice bathroom to crash in. 

Image result for homeless man pictures black and white old     Although some people may use the combatting idea that there are loopholes in the Maslow Theory, like when a starving homeless man gives his only meal to a hungry little child or when a business man gives up everything he owns for his dreams of becoming a famous restaurant chain owner, these are just simple random acts of fluctuating sections of the pyramid, as Maslow states that  "...satisfaction of a need is not an 'all-or-none' phenomenon...[You don't have to be]
satisfied 100 percent before the next need emerges”. People are a gateway to thousands of different possibilities. We are all different, and not all of us follow the books.

Image result for drinking water black and white photography     Take a second to look at this theory reflected in your own life. When you are hungry, you go to lunch, and when you are thirsty, you get something to drink. You don't usually like to push it off and do other things unless you are maybe stuck in class or busy at an event. Even then, you can't stop thinking about it, and can't wait to get food. You may even become angry or irritated if you don't. Another example higher up Maslow's pyramid would be this idea of self-actualization ( to realize one's potential/ purpose). If you are still at a time in your life where you are trying to fill the basic needs, like getting a house or job to support yourself, you aren't going to be thinking about your purpose in life, unless your a college student and your purpose is your career. Even then though, that's more focused on the esteem category below, trying to achieve goals and excel. There are many other examples that could be incorporated into your life based upon Maslow's Theory, as Maslow depicts the journey of each individual through their own needs and desires.  
     Even if you don't believe in Maslow's Theory, it is a "clear way to summarize the needs we all have for a full and fulfilling life". Maslow's Theory defines humanity and the journey we are all on, the live well, to be satisfied, and to finally find our purpose for why we are here and what we were made to do. In the end, that is all were looking for.

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                                                      Abraham Maslow 1908-1970

 Sources 
https://simplypsychology.org/maslow.html

Comments

  1. UnknownFebruary 26, 2018 at 6:03 PM

    That is a very cool model that Abraham Maslow created. I agree with pretty much everything said here. Yes, we need the basics first before we can go on to focus on the bigger aspects of life. And yes, of course there will be overlap in the stages of the pyramid. There is no way we could just be in one section at a time. That would be a really dull life!

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