Need

I'm not sure people who need people are the luckiest people in the world.

People who like, or love people might be luckier.

Need can cause lots of problems.

Drug addicts need drugs. Cigarette smokers need cigarettes. And some people need, or want, things from us that we cannot, should not, and don't necessarily need to give them.

It's complicated.

In the best of all worlds we could give those we love everything they ask for and they would do the same for us. That sounds wonderful, but we aren't created to have everything we want.

Being needed can feel good and even be addictive, but there is great value in learning how to support and soothe ourselves.

We see animals on television give their young a gentle nip, or nose them in the right direction. They understand something many people don't because animals don't have the luxury of trying to buy their children's safety or happiness.

We need skills, courage, understanding and persistence.

We need people who help us find these things for ourselves.

Then we can love both ourselves and people.