Other People Need Me
On the surface, this is obviously a statement of an egotistical maniac, or at the least one suffering from co-dependency and a savior delusion. Granted, I’m not beneath any of these. For the moment, however, try to overlook those obvious meanings while I explain myself. If I’m not successful in convincing you of a more positive meaning, you can continue to believe I am a person of delusions.
When a baby comes into this world he or she is completely dependent upon caregivers. These loving parents hold, feed, bath, and clean their child. Without loving adults to care for them, children would not survive. Children need us. My children needed me when they were young. But what about now that they are young adults? Do they still need me? Of course! (Okay, maybe there is some self-delusion there.)
As young adults, my children still turn to me to ask questions, seek advice, borrow money, vent their anger, find practical solutions, borrow money (oh wait, I said that one already). They still have much to learn as they try to make their way into relationships, careers, and independent living. They know I have answers they don’t have. Yes, they need me–or at least they need someone to help them along their way. That in essence, is the point. We all need people to help us along the way. We live in a world that requires interdependent interaction. If we all need someone to help us along our way, then we all have people who rely upon us for help.
We don’t live isolated lives, and people all around us are craving help. Without looking too far I can find people who need encouragement, financial support, a listening ear, advice, a strong back, a ride, or a hug. As a fellow human-being with needs of my own, I have the obligation to join other people in finding solutions together.
There are people in our world who for some reason believe that others exist solely to provide for their needs. They are takers and leaches. There are others who choose to live a balanced life by helping others in need just as others help them. This inter-dependency results in a healthy life.
Sure, there are times I’m an egotistical, delusional, pretend savior that mistakenly thinks no one can do without me. That’s not true. However, I am a fellow human being with gifts of love and grace to offer others. I can hold a hand and help my neighbor along the difficult path they walk. They need me and I need them.
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