This week I found myself revisiting Maslow’s Theory of Hierarchy.
Maslow explicitly defines self-actualization to be "the desire for self-fulfillment, namely the tendency for him [the individual] to become actualized in what he is potentially.
This tendency might be phrased as the desire to become more and more what one is, to become everything that one is capable of becoming."
Maslow used the term self-actualization to describe a desire, not a driving force, that could lead to realizing one's capabilities. Maslow did not feel that self-actualization determined one's life; rather, he felt that it gave the individual a desire, or motivation to achieve budding ambitions. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow )
Several of my friends, self included, are going through some trying times. Many are struggling with the frustrations involved with raising teenagers, concerned for their soon-to-be young adult children. One is a newly divorced mother waking up to an entirely changed life, a world that has been turned upside down, yet it is still revolving around her, rather she’s ready to face it or not.
Then we have those unfortunate souls, like me, who simply wake up one day to be told you no longer have the daily responsibility of reporting to work. Your purpose here is no longer needed. You no longer have any income. And by the way, your heating bill is due next week.
All of us are faced with circumstances, situations, events, that present themselves to us all each and every day of our lives. When we are faced with the more trying times they seem to suck us in. We soon find ourselves wondering why we are having such a difficult time of simply “feeling good” about our lives.
No matter whom you are or what your circumstances, rather you are on the top of the world or testing the waters of rock bottom Maslow’s Theory holds truth.
