Something about Wants and Needs

 

I got to thinking, what we humans do

is to have all these wants and needs.

And what we have that other species

don’t is the conscious awareness to

know it.

Dogs and cats do what they have been

trained to do. Of course they and other

animals just do what they are supposed

to do instinctively.

We humans, being animals, do some

things intuitively as well to survive.

And also, we do what we have been

taught or conditioned to do. But we

are also often given menus from which

to choose.

I feel like ordering the halibut today.

I had stew yesterday. I want the halibut

when all I really need is to eat. I’m

famished.

I never thought of listening to Beethoven

until I heard his music. Now there are days

when I not only want but feel the need to

hear Beethoven. What would I have done

without Beethoven had I been one of the

first homo sapiens alive on Plant Earth

eons before Beethoven came along?

Wants and needs, with we humans it’s a

complicated thing. Now consider the

galaxies, the planets and stars. They have

needs to survive as well, but they’re better

off not being consciously aware of it.

When the star is done, it’s done, bam!

kaboom! exploded perhaps into a super

nova. Without the slightest thought of

want or need, it’s done. That’s the way

to go, as I see it.

I’d better listen to Beethoven, and get

my human wants and needs met here

and now while I can. As for the halibut,

I’m not at a restaurant, and can’t afford

to eat out now anyway. Want and need

are two different things. I suppose for

today, I have the need to settle for left

over stew with a Beethoven Symphony

on the side.

                            -30-

Chris Hanch 3-15-2022