Self Actualisation

Was studying the topic of personalities and IQ for my PL1101e module... They touched on Maslow's hierachy of needs.. The bottom needs include shelter, food.. necessities like that... When all these are met... people start desiring self actualisation.. which is the achieving of one's potential for excellence... In times of crisis, people shelve this need for self-actualisation... and focus on other unfulfilled areas be it food or shelter, or emotional stability...

What it is.. Maslow's hierachy of needs... just like any other psychology theory is only a theory... nonetheless, let's study this theory for today... and look at how its relevant in our lives... But before that a side track.. flashback to my secondary school years...

Was from PLMGSS.. Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' Secondary School.. LONG name eh? Well, it was a protestant methodist school... The first time I came into contact with the term self-actualisation... it was actually used in quite a 'dirty' context... It was basically defined as the tendency to put yourself on and alter of worship and circle your life around yourself to achieve things for you and you alone.. not regarding any space for God and others... According to the law or primacy.. that definition stuck to my head.. and when I was reading my university text... and came across this term.. I was quite surprised to see that it was much more positive than I was thought..

I guess the concept of self actualisation is really not anti-christ... When intepreted correctly.. it can actually be for Christ.. Thing is.. under the list of self actualising people given in the textbook (not by me)... Mother Theresa was amongst the few... Therefore, its clear that if self-actualisation really is self-worship and a disregard for all others... Mother Theresa would have never made it anywhere near that list...

The thing about the marjority of christians is that we tend to focus on one's self effort and sacrifise when it comes to serving God... We misunderstand that his intention of sending Jesus to die on the cross.. was not only to forgive all our sins.. but also bring in the concept of absolute GRACE.. it is said that if God wishes you to contribute to his kingdom in whatever way, he will play that desire in your heart... and will put all your needed resources within your reach to ensure this process of self-actualisation.. So self-actualisation is simply the fulfilling of God's intended purpose for you.. AKA your personal legend... (PLEASE read the alchemist)

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MAJOR SIDETRACK
There was one point in the story of the alchemist... when the boy was almost about to fulfil his personal legend.. however, in the process he stumbled upon and oasis where he met the love of his life.. and he made a fortune out of interpreting signs and was promised the position of an advisor in the oasis.... He could choose to either stay and enjoy the riches.. or to shelve it all aside and continue his quest to the Egyptian Pyramids... to find his treasure.. At that point.. he was so certain that he had already found his treasure at the oasis and it is that girl... nothing's more precious than her.. Thus, he consulted the alchemist..

The alchemist, wise and old, told him this "For the first year, you will continue to see signs and interprete them. You will gain favour with the counsel and enjoy your bride's company. But for the second year onwards, you will look at the desert and wonder about the treasure you left behind.. you won't say anything but your bride will feel the distance... in the third year.. because you have failed to listen to the signs.. they will leave you.. the counsel will know this.. and they will name a new consultant.. but by then.. you will be rich and easily settle for a life of a merchant for the rest of your life... but you will never forget the day you left your personal legend behind."

With that, the boy, bade farewell to his lovely bride, and went on in the desert in search of his personal legend... Somehow... he always back at the large expense of sand and felt that in the vastness of the desert... laid something so precious.. his bride was at the end of the sand.. that made him want to work harder and get to his goal fast so he can return to his bride... Of course.. it ended with him reaching the pyramids.. there was no treasure there.. but he realised that the treasure was in the process of his searching out his personal legend.. not he destination... he gained so much wisdom and insight in these few years.. more than he would ever have if he stayed in his comfort zone.. Sure he was robbed and bitten very badly three times.. but he finally understood.. So he went back to his lovely bride with no other thought in mind and lived happily ever after.

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So in life.. I feel its important to always listen to the Holy spirit and to 'follow the signs'.. it is said that when you strive hard to fulfil your personal legend, all the facrors will turn to your favour as the universe conspires to help you fulfil your personal legend..

With that said, most of us never seem to move out of the food, shelter and money cycle.. instead of listening to that tiny voice in us... we cast aside our dreams in pursuit of money.. more money and more money.. we want bigger cars.. bigger houses.. yet.. even more money... thus.. we forget our personal legend and we abhor all others who are brave enough to move on to the self actualisation phase..

The great news today is that God will provide for you all you need.. so that you can move to the self actualisation phase to fulfil his purpose for you.. Look at the birds.. they neither sow nor harvest.. yet.. the Lord feeds them every day... They worry not about what they eat from day to day and just feed when they will.. Food is always at beak... And God didn't send Jesus to die for birds you know.. yet he still looks after them.. Look at men.. God sent Jesus to die for us.. yet we toil day after day for food and clothing.. when we are meant for greater things...

When Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, God actually provided Manna (a flour like food) for them.. on a daily basis.. But he asked them to take only enough to sustain the day.. for he provided more each day.. but some of them.. for fear of lack.. stored this extra manna... those who did so realised that it rotted and festered in just one day.. God is trying to tell us.. that he will provide FRESH manna for us each day.. and we only have to worry bout today... let tomorrow worry bout itself...

God's still the same today as he was when he led his people out of Egypt.. He still works by the same principles... he delights in those who enjoy what he's given them and worry little because they have faith that tomorrow, he will still be there providing for us.. Look at Mother Theresa.. when she died.. she had only a change of clothes, a comb and a mirror... but she was wealthiest woman on earth..

Wealth and prosperity is not only based on how large your car is... how large your house is or how many degrees or pHDs your have... its about how you fulfilled your personal legend.. For Mother Theresa.. her calling was to love the people.. and that filled her life and transformed her... God was able to work wonders through her..

So take a step back.. to think.. what's God asking you to do today? What's your personal legend? Are you letting your consciousness of lack desuade you from pursueing your personal legend? If so, all you need is faith... And even that, you can ask God for...

God's grace.. God's grace!!!