January 24, 2012

Wants vs. Needs

When people are asked what the difference between wants and needs are, they usually say that needs are things that are necessary in life and wants are things that aren’t necessary. That sounds logical enough, but I see things differently. I think that our wants are the strategies we use to seek fulfillment of our needs. The specific thing we are wanting may not be something that we can’t live without, but what we are really seeking beneath that want is a need that we can’t live without.

January 21, 2012

Understanding Soulmates

We’ve all heard of the concept of soulmates: the idea that there is somebody in life who is made just for us and that we are meant to have a lifelong romantic relationship with. I’ve had my share of relationships in which either myself or my partner believed that the other was their soulmate. I’ve also known a number of people who have felt this way. When we feel this way, we are often too caught up in the feeling to really sit down and figure out why. In my observations, I’ve noticed that when people believe that they have found their soulmate, what it means that they are having a romantic experience with somebody that feels extremely profound and meaningful. More specifically, this experience usually consists of one or more of three things: emotional fulfillment, compatibility, and/or romance.

December 30, 2011

What Would Jesus Do?: The Importance of Role Models and Taking Action

If you’re unfamiliar with the phrase “What would Jesus do?” then you must be living under a rock. It’s commonplace to see WWJD emblazoned on various things like bracelets, jewelry, and various knick knacks. The most basic assumption that can be made about people who display this acronym is that they are Christian/follow a religion in which Jesus is a central figure. However, it seems like oftentimes the examination stops there. How many of us have actually stopped to think about what it actually means? Yes, WWJD stands for “What would Jesus do?” Yes, it’s straightforward enough that after a quick examination you can correctly assume that it serves as a reminder to act in line with the bible’s teachings. But how many of us, religious or not, actually feel like we grok the phrase?