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Whenever someone says the word "need", particularly our children, we take a moment and ponder if that is really the word that is meant, or suitable to the current situation. Oftentimes we decide to take that word back and insert the word "want" because it is a bit more appropriate. Truthfully, there are few things that we actually need in life to survive. However, we still put them in the "need" category because we like to focus on our desires. Here are a few things that are actual necessities in life.

REAL NEEDS

For one, we need air to breath every day. Without oxygen, we will die very quickly. This is why some people are rather concerned about the environment, because they fear that someday we may not have that "clean" air to breath. Another true need is water, as much of our body is comprised of water. Without it, we will also perish. Finally, we need some sort of sustenance. Some cultures live on a rather small amount, but they still need to consume something on a semi-regular basis. Aside from those necessities, people need some sort of clothing or shelter to protect themselves from the elements. After those things, there are few things that could be considered true necessities in life, though again, we can very easily select items and call them "needs".

HUMANITY

Though it is a bit harder to quantity, I suppose a second level of needs would include things like love, belonging, and purpose in life. On some level humans need other humans, and they need to have some sort of connection that includes words, affection, and community. In addition, people often feel a need to know who they are and what they are intended to do with their lives. This is also a bit difficult to quantify, but humans still feel these desires very strongly as they live through the sequences of their lives.

The word "need" can be a powerful word that means different things to different people. When evaluating your needs, it is important to assess what things you could live without, and what things are truly required for survival. Only then, can certain aspects of life be put into perspective and truly appreciated.

Learn more about this author, Todd Pheifer.
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