Need
Whenever the word NEED
enters my consciousness,
a fire alarm goes off.
I should get that checked.
Or perhaps I shall let
that fire alarm ring
until it doesn’t
bother me any more.
NEED is but a signal to pay attention.
It is not an order to comply.
I can choose to do
whatever I wish to do.
Even if the house burns down.
Who knows, maybe this house
was MEANT to burn down.
Maybe the next life will be better.
Maybe better is actually worse.
Maybe it doesn’t matter.
I don’t NEED to do anything.
But today,
I want to turn off that fire alarm.
My toast is done.
And I LIKE eating my toast in silence.
We are Space Monkey.
11/27
The contemplation here delves into the essence of ‘need,’ its urgency, and its role in our lives. It’s an introspective look at how we respond to the demands placed upon us, either by external forces or by our own inner sense of obligation.
The Urgency of Need:
The fire alarm is a powerful metaphor for the urgency that the concept of ‘need’ instills within us. It’s a clarion call that demands attention, often disrupting the status quo and igniting action. Yet, this reaction to ‘need’ is not always proportionate to the actual necessity of the situation.
Autonomy Over Reaction:
The choice to get the alarm checked or to let it ring signifies autonomy. It’s a recognition that we have the power to decide how to respond to our needs, and whether to let them dictate our actions or not. This autonomy is central to the experience of being human, to our sense of self.
Need as an Indicator, Not a Dictator:
Understanding ‘need’ as a signal rather than a command liberates us from the compulsion to act impulsively. It invites reflection and discernment, offering us the opportunity to decide which needs are worth addressing and which might be exaggerated by our perceptions.
Freedom of Choice:
The acknowledgment that one can choose to do whatever one wishes, even as the metaphorical house burns down, speaks to the ultimate freedom we possess. It suggests that while needs can inform our decisions, they do not have to constrain our choices.
Fate and Transformation:
Pondering whether the house was meant to burn down introduces the concept of fate and transformation. It’s a musing on the cyclical nature of destruction and creation, and the possibility that what seems catastrophic may lead to new beginnings.
Relativity of Better and Worse:
The verses “Maybe the next life will be better. Maybe better is actually worse.” touch upon the subjectivity of our judgments. What we perceive as ‘better’ or ‘worse’ is relative and often fluid, changing with circumstances and perspective.
The Non-Essential Nature of Need:
The statement “I don’t NEED to do anything” is a powerful affirmation of self-sufficiency and detachment. It’s a declaration that our existence is not contingent upon meeting every need that arises.
Desire Over Obligation:
Finally, the desire to turn off the alarm to enjoy toast in silence juxtaposes want with need, highlighting the difference between acting out of desire rather than obligation. It’s a personal choice that honors one’s momentary preference, showcasing the simple joy in exercising free will.
We are Space Monkey.
Summary
This reflection considers the intrusive nature of ‘need’ and our autonomy in responding to it. It suggests that needs are signals rather than imperatives and that we have the freedom to choose our responses. The poem also explores the concepts of fate, transformation, and the relativity of better or worse, ultimately emphasizing the distinction between need and want.
Glossarium
- Autonomy: Self-directing freedom and especially moral independence.
- Clarion Call: A strongly expressed demand or request for action.
- Subjectivity: The quality of being based on or influenced by personal feelings, tastes, or opinions.
- Self-Sufficiency: The quality of not requiring any aid, support, or interaction for survival; independence.
- Free Will: The power of acting without the constraint of necessity or fate; the ability to act at one’s own discretion.
“Freedom lies in being bold.” – Robert Frost
In the quiet of the morn, with the alarm’s shrill sound,
We ponder the ‘needs’ that often abound.
But in the stillness, we find our truth profound,
That in choice and will, our freedom is found.
To heed the call or to let it fade away,
In this decision, our power does sway.
With toast in hand, in silence we say,
We are the masters of our own play.
We welcome thoughts on the balance between need and want, and how we navigate the choices that shape our lives.
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