So, here's a little quiz to see if you're human. I'll take it too, because hey, that's what I do here.
1. Do you participate in meeting basic human needs?
2. Do you take precautions to secure your safety?
3. Have you formed human relationships?
4. Do you have self-esteem?
5. Is your existence validated?
6. Do you know how to love?
7. Do you know how to be loved?
1. Do you participate in meeting basic human needs?
Let's see. I drink water. I eat food. I sleep. I breathe oxygen. I wear clothing in order to protect myself from the elements, and let's face it, just to look cute. So, I'm thinking I got this one. Yep.
2. Do you take precautions to secure your safety?
Hmmm. I live in a house. I generally take the time to lock the doors at night. I don't purposefully put myself into physical danger. I hardly ever stick my hand into an open flame or walk in front of moving cars. I earn money to make a living. Well, sort of. When, I'm allowed by my doctors to work, I do so. That's a big ol' yes.
3. Have you formed human relationships?
Truth be told, some days I actually like my dogs better than I like most humans. However, I do have some homo sapiens with which I am extremely close. Love my boys, my little daughter and her beautiful family including my wonderful grandbaby, my friends, my mommy and daddy, and my awesome family. There's another yeppers to add to the list. Doing good so far.
4. Do you have self-esteem?
I do consider myself valuable. I strive for success and to always be the best me I can be. I know I am loved, but I do not depend on others for self-esteem. I am valuable simply, because I exist. Another resounding yes. Woo hoo! Maybe I'm not an alient after all.
5. Is your existence validated?
I know that I am more than this physical shell. I believe in spirit, and I am a spiritual being. If this weren't the case, what is this life for? It is for learning. It is for making a difference. It is for sharing. It is for loving. It is for enjoying. So, I will write. I will draw. I will dance. I will smile. I will leave a mark on this world. Yeah. I have self-esteem.
6. Do you know how to love?
I love deeply and passionately. I had children so that I could love them from the very beginning of their existence to the time I leave this world. I forgive those that hurt me intentionally and unintentionally, because I believe we all have moments of weakness. God almighty! I have plenty myself. Remember: "Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering." - Master Yoda. I am simply done with suffering. I have been known to love those that others find unlovable, because I know that like me, they are also fallible. Humans cannot thrive without love. Boy howdy! I got love.
7. Do you know how to be loved?
Oh-oh. I was doing so well. This is one of those things I constantly struggle with. Letting people in is much harder than showing caring and compassion. Because I have done everything for myself for such a long time, it is very hard to let someone do for me. However, becoming ill has forced me into a position where I have to let others do for me. Here's what I've learned. We feel good when we help others. We feel good when we show other people love. Why on earth would I take that experience away from someone else? Letting others in gives them that feeling of being filled by showing love. It is just as important to be loved as it is to love. I'm going to say yes, because I am learning this lesson as I go.
Woo hoo! Guess what? I am a human being. I am not an alien. I am not a robot. I'm not a science experiment. I'm a real girl, Jiminy Cricket!
P.S. Did anyone catch the Maslowe-esque-ness of this post? Oh yeah. I did that. I made up that term. Maslowe-esque-ness. Put it in your dictionary.