Maslow’s hierarchy of needs enumerates 5 levels of mankind’s needs and desires to attaining a wholesome, complete, worthwhile and successful life. This, loosely translated in modern terminology – is prosperity. At the core of his theory is the physiological need and the epitome is the need for self-actualization.
Over the last 3 days, I’ve been challenged by various perspectives on what this prosperous life actually means; how it is actually attained and whether or not its actually something that I can achieve.
Undoubtedly, I have a lofty and grand purpose, God breathed, spirit guided and a massive responsibility which the more I try to achieve it by myself, with my own skills and abilities, the surer I am of failure. Its exciting and fulfilling to talk about, learn, deliberate and strategize about purpose and vision and the quality of life that awaits me once I attain ‘Self-Actualization/ But lets start from the very beginning, back to the basics as it were.
In the absence of my basic needs being met, and those of my family and the people in my sphere of influence’ how on earth can I expect to focus on achieving a sense of love/belonging, high self-esteem and respect, let alone the desired attainment of purpose of self-actualization How do I even begin to toy with the option of building solid and fulfilling relationships, spontaneously enjoying leisure, luxury and laughs when my basic needs (human rights) and personal security are at risk or are unavailable?
The universal Declaration of Human Rights established in 1948, begins by recognizing that ‘the inherent dignity and equal and inalienable rights of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world’/ Prosperity is dependant and fundamentally only attainable when freedom, justice and peace are present in the world – essentially when all of mankind is guaranteed of the dignity that allows them to walk tall.
Strangely so however, the Declaration goes through over 20 different elements of human rights before it deals with the fundamentals – the essential ingredients of true dignity ‘ the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and wellbeing of himself and his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social service and the right to security…’
Personally , I am of the opinion that this is the reason why we face recurring global crises. The focus has not been on the basics, and the rallying call to work towards the attainment of the so-called ‘freedoms’ – movement, nationality, identity, property and justice etc – actually arrests any effort to focus on the facts and the reality of the need to restore dignity by providing and guaranteeing basic human needs.
To us, the question is placed – how do we seek the prosperity of the world? We all want world peace and prosperity; after all in the absence of this, we at the most basic unit of society (families and individuals) cannot thrive. But it is for this fundamental reason that the restoration of dignity must first be sought for the individuals.
Medicare/NHIF contributions for our housies, free meals, transport stipend, ensuring they have bank accounts and are contributing to some form of Social Security fund? Taking care of education for their kids, helping them ‘upskill’?? Praying for them? worrying about their spiritual and emotional well being? These are just a few thoughts…some starters… watch this space for more…
