Sometimes I envy starving kids in Africa — because at least their needs can be met sometimes.
African kid: “I’m hungry.”
Someone: “Here’s some rice.”
African kid: “Thanks, [American celebrity].”
BOOM! Needs temporarily fulfilled. I can’t go –
Josh: “I lack self-actualization.”
– and be handed a plate of self-actualization.
I’m not saying stop feeling badly for these kids — but feel badly for me, too, because it’s tough being higher up on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.
(That’s right. Nothing hits all the demographics like a Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs reference.)
But it is tough being higher up. I was stuck between two exits on the freeway the other day and really had to pee — so much so that I legitimately thought something inside of me was going to burst — and I realized that that was one of the greatest moments in my life, because for a brief period of time, all I was thinking about was urine.
Then I peed, and it was back to worrying about my bills, my career, finding love…
I guess what I’m saying is, “Cherish the physically painful moments.”
