HAVING NEEDS

I want to open my mind and heart to my own needing.  Long ago, I learned to silence the inner voice that allows me to know when I have a need by putting my focus on keeping others’ happy and meeting their needs.  Eventually, I lost awareness of what I need and occasionally when needs surfaced into consciousness, I labeled myself self-centered, egotistical, greedy, immature, or annoying.  I even justified my other-centeredness as the ‘moral/Christian/right’ way to be. 

I now know that it’s very difficult to give to others what I don’t allow myself without resentment,  jealousy, and envy. Even most religions hold to some type of Golden Rule to ‘treat others the way you’d like to be treated’.

Today, I intend to be mindful of my needs, whether it’s a survival need (food, water, shelter, medical care) or a need to protect myself from harm or threat.  I will recognize my need to be loved and connected to others, as well as, my need to matter and know that I am of worth and value.  I give myself permission to grow and change.  I acknowledge my right to be and have needs.