Needs and Wants

She did not need much,

wanted very little.

A kind word, sincerity, fresh air

clean water, a garden, kisses

books to read, sheltering arms

a cosy bed, and to love

and be loved in return.

Starra Neely Blade 

It doesn't seem to matter how old we are, where we live, or what we do.    Our wants and needs tend to be similar and quite simple ... to love and be loved.   These needs and wants are met in various ways and rather inconsistently throughout our lives.

As a child, we may be so eager to please others, we may not be aware of our own wants and needs.  We may use all of our energy in pleasing others, hoping to be loved in return.  On occasion, we may have the opportunity to express what we want or what we need, but in our eagerness to understand others, we have not understood ourselves. 

There comes a time and place where we come to realize our own exhaustion from giving too much and receiving not nearly enough in return.  At this point, we begin to learn how to nurture ourselves, and how to best meet our needs or wants.

When we have a sense of who we are, we can have faith and hope that our desires and dreams will unfold.  In the meantime, however, we must begin to build a life of support and honor.  If we do not tenderly care for ourselves, then why should anyone else?