This summer was full of closeness and love. It started at least last Dec when I had my stroke, and in some ways earlier, and now it is November and it is still going on. It really got started because of several theories and a few practical applications of those theories, retirement as well, and for Debbie, her search for emotional, spiritual and physical health. Debbie also began learning about Quantum Theory if you want to get a little ahead in this story, do some checking of that topic. This post and the following posts will be divided into these theories so all I will do today is list them.
Maslow’s Theory describes a hierarchy of needs. https://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html
Attachemnt Theory https://practicalpie.com/attachment-styles-theory
Grief Theory https://www.psycom.net/stages-of-grief
Pain Management Theories
Retirement Theory or Philosophy
PTSD
Quality of Life
End of Life Care Theory
Marriage
Communication Theory
Spiritual Practices
Emotional Responses
Light Theory
Dietary Theories
Theories are just that, theories. They are not facts, nor are they proven science. Many of these theories are Social Science theories and find proof illusive. They are vehicles to explain what we think is going on in our world, body or mind, in some cases the whole universe. I like theories. I use theories and so do you. I don’t agree with a lot of the theory nor am I informed by one theory alone as you can see from the above list, but sometimes, a bunch of theories come together and help you make sense of the current events in your life. Some of these theories are being heavily criticized and in some cases reworked if not nullified. Kubler Ross and her theories about grief are heavily discussed and debated as are attachment theories. And if you haven’t been under a rock, you’ve noticed that the theories about different diets have been a war zone in the last few years.
I still find a lot of useful thinking in these theories and sometimes they lead me to other sources of wisdom that contribute to our wellbeing. That’s what happened to me and Debbie this Summer.
A very brief look at Maslow’s theory and how it affected this summer for us is simple. I see his hierarchy of needs as a ladder to climb in our lives. It has five rungs. It is a process. I like process. Process gives me a path to a goal or goals. I like maps. Maps are full of surprise but offer basic processes to getting somewhere. Others have used maps so you can have a high level of confidence that the map will help you as well. So they offer both the constant and the unexpected. You can count on a stream showing up just ahead because you know where you are on the map and it shows a stream ahead and if you keep going in the right direction, you will come upon the stream. I recognize some people don’t seem to work this way, but I do, and I’m writing this so my perspective is featured here. If you find this perspective intimidating or disagreeable, maybe you would be blessed by asking God about it or talking it over with someone you trust. I’m happy to dialogue about it as well.
For me, Maslow’s theories have offered me a map of relational places. More importantly, they have offered me a process of how to move about the map. There is a building over there, a high point to the north, a lake to the east, a radio tower planted in the highest area and so on. These way points on the map can then be accessed and observed and helpful in moving forward. Man, do I love maps.
Maslow's theories about human needs are maps then, and reading those maps offer me a way, or a process to move forward with skill and pleasure and caution and abandon.
Back to the five steps if you want to call them that, Physiological Needs, Safety and Security, Love and Belonging, Esteem and lastly, Self Actualization. I won’t take the time to explain them today or probably ever because I think you need to search them out for yourself when the time comes for you to do that. But for Debbie and I , we found our way through all of those 5 stages this year, this Summer.
That had never happened before and I am so grateful that it is happening now. It’s like climbing a mountain that you were told was impossible and you could never do it. And your partner doesn’t support you in the climb for a number of years, and then finally one summer, both you and your partner have an awakening, an epiphany and you decide to lay aside your fears and make the climb. The higher you go, the fears fall away more quickly.
This summer was activated by half a dozen things if not more, but the base goal has always been to be on top of the mountain. We have had that, and are still there. I have no more fears, something I never thought I could experience, to be fearless. I’ve seen what’s possible and I’ve been the to the mountaintop and I’ve embraced God there and had my love and life partner with me where she was able to fall into her heavenly Father’s arms and let go of all her fears as well.
When we get a chance to meet Maslow in heaven, I will have some long interrogations with him. But for now, I’ll just say thanks for a wonderful summer.
There is a lot of help on the internet to understand Maslow’s ideas, start your search or ask me for some thoughts about it, glad to offer more. One of the great questions Debbie and I tackled this year, is what are we afraid of? It keeps leading us back to God, He is afraid of nothing except us failing to recognize Him as the source of our strength and the One who goes before us and protects us from behind, night and day. We are in His hands and He wants amazing doors to open up before us. We are reading this lesson in the Bible book of Judges right now and it is a simple lesson but the most powerful of lessons. When you worship God and adore Him, Amazement and Power for living well are at hand.