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Live to Fulfill the Measure of Your Creation
There is apparent chaos in the Universe - but there is order..
The rotation of the Planet Earth is such that everyday the sun appears from the east and disappears into the west.
The sun provides light and sun's rays give light and warmth to all the creatures of this earth.
At the end of the day, night arrives. This twenty-four hour cycle never ceases.
One season follows another. Spring is always followed by summer; summer is always followed by autumn, etc. This
course is unchangeable.
All vegetation and animal life fulfill the measure of their creation.
When I stand in my vegetable garden I know I will not find cabbages hanging from the tomato plants, only tomatoes. The
tomato bush must fulfill the measure of its creation in producing an abundance of beautiful red tomatoes. It is doing
what all tomato bushes do. It is doing what its ancestors have done for generations.
Have you noticed when sunrise and sunset approaches, there is a chorus of birds that chirp and sing? They cannot
avoid this. Nature, if you like, has programmed this into them and they must fulfill the measure of their creation. If we can
observe order and beauty in the creation of nature, then should we not consider the order and beauty of our creation, the
greatest of all the species?
We, like nature, also have to fulfill the measure of our creation. In doing this we experience true happiness because we
are living at the most ethical and productive level. For each of us the measure will be different according to the role we
have to play.
The Psychologist Abraham Maslow
The American psychologist Abraham Maslow called this concept ‘self-actualization.’ Some schools of philosophy use
the term ‘self-realization.’
Maslow loosely describes self-actualization as “the full use and exploitation of talents, capacities and potentialities”.
Self-actualized people are those who have developed or who are developing to reach their full stature. Whatever it is
called does not really matter. What does matter is that we understand that our purpose in life is to rise to our highest
level of development.
Maslow was interested in what motivated successful people. He undertook a study of people living exceptionally
effective lives. His study included Albert Einstein, William James, Eleanor Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln, John Muir, Walt
Whitman, and other creative people, artists, writers, and poets. He wanted to know what made them different from what
we might call the ‘average person’.
Hierarchy of Needs
In Maslow’s research he discovered what he called ‘the hierarchy of needs’. He said that our needs have to be satisfied
at a lower level before we can move to a higher level. The pinnacle of the hierarchy is self-actualization. Maslow believed
that self-actualization is an innate drive, i.e. something we were born with.
At the base of the triangle are our basic needs - oxygen, food, and water. We will take whatever steps are necessary to
secure these requirements just to survive. In the Western society most of these needs are fulfilled with little effort. Few of
us would have experienced real hunger and thirst. In third world or less affluent countries people struggle daily to meet
these basic needs.
The second level is the need for safety and security, shelter and protection. We all need somewhere to live, a home that
will protect us from the elements, an environment that provides safety and security.
Once we have reached this level we are now prepared to move to the third level, which is the need to belong, to bond
with people who are like-minded, people who believe in the things we do and see life in the same way. Belonging to
these groups we are more likely to feel that these people love and care about us. This group gives us self-expression
beyond our immediate family.
The fourth level is the need for self-esteem. We want to feel good about ourselves and have others feel good about us.
When we succeed at some difficult challenge we experience deep feelings of satisfaction.
At the highest level Maslow says our need is to self-actualize. In developed nations we have the luxury of being able to
strive for the higher levels in this hierarchy.
At the higher level we become creative because we are free to develop our gifts and talents, to write, to sing, to paint, to
concentrate on the spiritual aspects of life.
To reach this pinnacle we must make full use of our potential. This is living life to the max.
Characteristics of Self-Actualizing People
For those who reach this level, Maslow’s research showed that these people had similar characteristics, habits and
actions. Self-actualizing people can be identified by the following characteristics.
These people can see reality for what it is. They have the ability to separate their hopes, fears, anxieties and theories
from what is real.
They are people who have been able to accept weaknesses and imperfections in themselves and other people. They
consider weaknesses to be a part of human nature. They see them as a part of the growing process and so they allow
people to be themselves. They do not get upset or disturbed because of other people’s behavior.
These people are naturally spontaneous and open with their feelings. They avoid pretence although they do act tactfully
in areas that might hurt other people’s feelings.
Self-actualizing people do not need permission to laugh. They have a welldeveloped sense of humour. Laughter is
spontaneous and they are prepared to laugh at themselves. They see certain foolishness in taking themselves or life too
seriously.
These people are solution-focused rather than ego-centered. They see the world outside themselves rather than within
themselves. They normally have some mission in life or some higher task to fulfill. Actions are based on the deeper
issues of life that may center around religious, philosophical, social, or ethical issues. This gives them a defined
purpose for life.
They do not depend on others for their security and satisfaction. Their security comes from within. They do like moments
of solitude and privacy as this allows them time to meditate and think about the important issues of life.
They are self-starters, and control where possible, their own destiny. They have a level of humility that enables them to
learn from anybody who has something worthwhile to teach them.
They have the ability to see newness in the ordinary events of life. Sunsets can be enjoyed over and over again. There is
newness in flowers, food, weather, nature, relationships, etc.
These people generally have deeper and stronger relationships. Although their friendships are more intense, they are
fewer in number. They have many associates but very few true friends because, in some ways, they expect more of
friendship than other people do. Friendships are built regardless of class, education, and political belief, color or race,
they are not xenophobic, that is they do not fear people from other countries.
Ethical behavior plays a large role in self-actualizing people. They have a clear concept of what is right and wrong. In
general, their principles are ethically based, and although they may be religious they may not be what some would call
‘orthodox’.
Maslow labelled these people ‘The Peakers’ - those who have peak experiences in life. These peak experiences
generate intense feelings of achievement, success, and passion. They are likely to be felt when something of value has
been achieved, when one’s creative abilities have moved to a higher level. It may be in areas like leadership, sport,
religion, intimate friendships, music and art. These conclusions have made Maslow’s teachings important in the area of
personal development and human performance.
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The above text is extracted from the book
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7 Ways to Live Life to the Max
by Dennis A. Curyer, M.A.
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Here are some interesting points for you to consider:
A long, long time ago, there was a fisherman in New England. He never covered his basket of lobsters. A visitor asked
him why he was not worried that these lobsters might climb over the edge of the basket and escape, he said, “Heck no,
the moment one makes a bid for freedom all of the others drag him back in”.
Are there lobsters in your life?
The lobsters can take the form of parents, children, relatives, friends, work associates, those in authority, etc. who,
though well intentioned, will attempt to discourage you from your ambitions.
The greatest gift you have been given is the freedom to make choices. Use this gift to its maximum. You have in front of
you the key to secret wisdom. If you use it, you will unlock the secret to having all your dreams come true.
7 Ways To Live Life To The Max is that key and it's just within your reach! Within the bytes and bits lies wisdom for the
ages. Not just a guide to happier living, it is a treasure chest of principles that will make your every wish come true.
- Are you down in the dumps?
- Do you suffer from depression?
- Are you burnt out?
- Looking for a new lease on life?
- Are you lacking goals or direction?
- Wondering what life is all about and what your role is?
This book has been written to empower people to live with excitement and energy. What are the 7 Ways To Live Life To
The Max?
- Maxers Know the Big Picture While Not Ignoring The Small One
- Maxers Live In The Real World
- Maxers Live By A Code Of Ethics
- Maxers Live Their Dreams By Conquering Their Fears
- Maxers Are Lovers
- Maxers Let Go To Hang On
- Maxers Give And Know That Giving Is The Measure Of Greatness
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The normal price for this book only is $17.00.
We are offering you a special bonus
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$17.00
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Brought to you by Jacob Gan, PhD (Michigan)
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