So, imagine you're the winner on a game show and you get to choose your own prize. The options are a bottle of water and a fat diamond. Which would you choose?
The answer is obvious... the diamond, of course.
Okay, let's change the situation. Imagine that you were lost in the desert for a few blistering hot days, and suffer from dehydration. Which one would you choose between the bottle of water and the diamond this time? The diamond would be of little value to you, as you are lost, dying, and unsure you would get out of the desert alive.
In this situation, you value the bottle of water more than the diamond. This method of putting a value of something, is called utility value. Utility is the value of an object, knowledge or a person, determined by how useful it/they are in the "now" situation. This way of valuing something also offers an insight to Maslow's hierarchy of Needs model.
Most people live by utility, and plod around Maslows lower levels of basic needs, security, relationships and social esteem all the days of their life. Although this type of lifestyle lays a good foundation for people to discover their purpose, it is not a guarantee that they will.
Utility Value is a hedonistic and self absorbed approach to life, where things are easily disposed of when they no longer serve us.
Purpose asks us to serve others. Yes, you may need stuff to achieve your purpose, but having stuff is not, never was, and never will be, the goal of life.
When the value of our cars, houses and fat bank accounts is more important than the reason we have them, we are in danger of contracting the disease of megalomania - believing that we are God ... because we own stuff! Ja, well, no, fine.
The crown of Maslows Heirarchy of Needs is Self Actualization. At this top level, people discover how they can be the most they can be - by realising the true value of stuff is the value it adds in serving others.
I know the dream you hide in your heart will improve the lives of others, regardless of whether you have stuff or not. The question is: when are you going to value that dream aloud?
The answer is obvious... the diamond, of course.
Okay, let's change the situation. Imagine that you were lost in the desert for a few blistering hot days, and suffer from dehydration. Which one would you choose between the bottle of water and the diamond this time? The diamond would be of little value to you, as you are lost, dying, and unsure you would get out of the desert alive.
In this situation, you value the bottle of water more than the diamond. This method of putting a value of something, is called utility value. Utility is the value of an object, knowledge or a person, determined by how useful it/they are in the "now" situation. This way of valuing something also offers an insight to Maslow's hierarchy of Needs model.
Most people live by utility, and plod around Maslows lower levels of basic needs, security, relationships and social esteem all the days of their life. Although this type of lifestyle lays a good foundation for people to discover their purpose, it is not a guarantee that they will.
Utility Value is a hedonistic and self absorbed approach to life, where things are easily disposed of when they no longer serve us.
Purpose asks us to serve others. Yes, you may need stuff to achieve your purpose, but having stuff is not, never was, and never will be, the goal of life.
When the value of our cars, houses and fat bank accounts is more important than the reason we have them, we are in danger of contracting the disease of megalomania - believing that we are God ... because we own stuff! Ja, well, no, fine.
The crown of Maslows Heirarchy of Needs is Self Actualization. At this top level, people discover how they can be the most they can be - by realising the true value of stuff is the value it adds in serving others.
I know the dream you hide in your heart will improve the lives of others, regardless of whether you have stuff or not. The question is: when are you going to value that dream aloud?
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