The Need Conversation

It's overwhelming how much people need, isn't it? I know some people need more than others, but still, everyone needs a lot of things. Just think of something you need.

I would say the main thing people need is money. "Money can't buy you happiness." Well, I think it can if you're in the right circumstance. You can't depend on that alone, of course, but it would make me happy. And if not money, then what else is a universal solver? Love? Friendship? I can tell you one thing, I am glad I am one of the people who is in need of money instead of needing friendship or love.

That thought was sprung from a brief conversation I had with one of my friends recently, but her thought went something like, "It's overwhelming how many people need." I, being superficial, changed it to "how much I need" instead of "how many people need." If you knew the exact number of people on the planet, you would know exactly how many people need because we are all in need of something. A car, a house, more money, a jacket, a blanket, food, a pillow, a friend, a family.

I think what most of us need (whether we know it or not) is to meet other's needs. It's gratifying, and yet, how little we actually do it. What does that say about you and me? We can do it everyday, if not in a big, meaningful way, at least in a small way. Helping out our friend with a project, taking care of something you know no one else will, talking to someone who you don't really want to spend time talking to but you know it will help. A lot of people just need your attention and time. Can you give it?

The hardest thing to do is give your family what they need. I'm not talking about providing the essentials for them, but just being there for them on the everyday. The people you are closest to, the people no one else will see you give to, are the hardest people to be kind to and generous with.

If I could provide a need, would I be okay seeing someone else get what they needed and not me? Would I be okay with that? Would it come back around? Would I be okay if it didn't?

The way I see it, the one thing everyone needs is love. If you love someone, truly, not just because you have to, then you will meet their needs. If you love people, then strangers will get what they need as well. This Presidency of Obama is trying to promote human kindness, unity and understanding. However, it's more about a hope in Humanity than in one man. It will take all of us to meet the need of our country and each other individually. I'll work on that.

The Start Conversation

I have always wanted to take a huge road trip on my own. I know how dangerous that is, I know how lonely I would get and I know how much money that would be, but it doesn't change anything. I want to do something adventurous, out of the ordinary. I keep thinking if I can just get away I can mean something or discover something, be a different person. I have waited a long time to take that journey and I knew if I got the chance, I would come back changed.

However, as I begun to think about all this, I realized I don't have to go away and I shouldn't wait on something to change me; I need to and can change myself. I am already on a trip and I have everyday to change something about me, to do something exciting or worth while. I am always waiting to do something, and I know there are certain things you have to wait for, but the things I want to do, I can start doing now. It just will take me actually starting it.

You know when you had to (or have to) write and essay and the hardest part is actually sitting down and starting? Once you've started, everything flows and you can go back and fix things if necessary. If I can just start something, this one thing in particular, I know it will flow and be okay, but where to start? How to start? How come I keep pushing it off? Is it because there is no actual due date?

How do you start your life you want to live? By making decisions; by sticking my them. A noble person does not just become noble by only wanting to be, they make the decision and then stick by it. I want to be a person who doesn't waste their words, stands up for what's right, makes hard decisions, and actively pursues challenges. Who isn't judgemental, who doesn't care for appearances, doesn't need approval from everyone. I want to chase my vision and have hope it will come true.

All I have to do is start. I can't wait for someone to tell me what to do. I've done that long enough. I have to tell myself. I have to stand up to the opposing side and start being the person I want to be.