(An unmet Need causes us to feel empty, incomplete or less than whole. Fulfilling a Need gives us freedom to be ourselves.)

 

This is a strange Need. It causes some really useful outcomes and others that are physically and emotionally costly.

Think of a time when you’ve seen an actor or a politician call a press conference to throw his or her support behind the Foundation For Lint Recycling or some equally inane project. Emoting for the reporters, the publicity hound is happy only when the tapes are running.

On the other hand, this Need can cause people to perform great deeds of philanthropy. Yes, they may be donating money to get their name on the new wing of the hospital–thereby meeting their Need for publicity–but the result is obviously useful.

The Need for publicity (or any Need, for that matter) is neither good nor bad. If you have this Need, be aware of the cost of getting it met. If you can afford it physically and emotionally, go for it!

If not, find a way to get it satisfied permanently so that you run your life instead of having the Need be in charge.

 

Copyright 2002 Steve Straus. All rights reserved.