Needs

Food.
Water.
Shelter.

The basic needs of humanity. But, there's one missing. We all have an innate need to feel loved...loved by family, loved by friends, loved by God...we can't seem to function without it.

This past week I went to a very dark and self-indulgent place. I worried about all the usual things, but what it boils down to is love. I needed more during this time. When I finally opened up about it, I came to realize that I wasn't alone. I had friends in the same place, asking the same questions, needing that same love. WHY was I so busy worrying about myself that I couldn't see it? These are NOT simple acquaintances...these are the people I am closest to, the people that I know and that know me the best. Yet, we were unable to see that we were all dealing with the same issues. If we could have simply glanced past our own doubt, we could have helped each other. In my own personal case, realizing that my friend needed me, pulled me out of my own dark place. Knowing that I could FIX it for someone else...that it was in MY power to give someone else that love that I was needing, showed me that I had it all along!

That makes me think about the world at large. This is an issue that we ALL deal with. Every person walking this earth has needs that must be met. There are so many people that could very simply meet these needs...so why are we leaving so many people wanting? I am not even touching the hunger/shelter/water needs right now because I know that those are not easily remedied. But, NO ONE walking this planet should be left wanting love. I hope I can remember this the next time I walk through WalMart judging someone for one reason or another. Maybe they just need a smile, a little help reaching the top shelf, a knowing, "we've all been there" nod...and maybe I am just the person to give it to them...or maybe it's you.