Since I was first exposed to it, I've gone back often to Abraham Maslow's model, "The Hierarchy of Human Needs" as a context for putting things in perspective. Without expanding on the five levels of needs, they are, in order, survival, security, socialization, self-esteem and self-actualization.
Having been privileged to have been born a U.S. citizen and, having achieved, or at least being on track to achieve, most of the goals I set for myself, I've pretty much satisfied the first four levels. So I now find myself in the self-actualization phase. I think a lot about how I can make a positive deifference in the lives of others; how I can leave something of lasting value behind when I die.
At age 60, I've come to appreciate the words of King Solomon: "There is nothing new under the sun", and "All is vanity and vexation of spirit". But I don't believe that applies to serving others to the extent that it does to the unsatiated pursuit of pleasure.
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"I am an agnostic; I do not pretend to know what many ignorant men are sure of."
Clarence Darrow |