Once we “begin” our life by being “born from above,” the life flow passes through two key filters for a centered life. The basic needs we attempt to fulfill must be filtered and focused or they can be fulfilled in a damaging way. Everyone desires security, adventure, significance and community and will fill their lives with attempts of satisfying these needs. Of course, all these basic needs can be fulfilled in very destructive ways. It can be as simple and non-threatening as a hang out like a local bar where,”Everyone knows your name” and your life is wasted away in self-indulgence or as violent as a street gang. In any case, the attempt to satisfy these basic needs without the key filters is very misleading and dangerous or at best leads to a very mediocre life.
Therefore, the two key filters must be applied for the centered life fulfillment of these needs. These filters can be defined in two words; giving and growing. I will elaborate later, but first the reality of effecting others through our life pursuits is defined by giving into something bigger than ourselves. Secondly, the effect my choices have on me must be ultimately positive to justify their expense and true fulfillment causing my improvement along the way. So the attempts in life to satisfy the basic needs must be filtered through these lenses to focus our satisfaction with centered life results.
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