The Nine Needs: Expression

"There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening, that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique."  Martha Graham

Those of us, myself included, who have chosen expression as one of the three primary needs need to find ways of expressing ourselves in order to maintain psychological health. With expression in the lead position or one of the top 3, it is important to allow for personal expression in as many ways as possible and which could include

* Artistry in the life  Any number of ways to express in daily life such as how you dress both yourself and your environment

*Express yourself through the many choices you make including personal preferences ie food, daily schedule, sleeping patterns, and friends. 

* Creative outlets   Music, Art, Drama, Writing, Dance  These expressive venues can include both doing them yourself or going to hear music and other expressive arts.

*Verbal expression   Yes, those of us with expression as a primary need seem to need to talk alot!  It's ok, it's just part of who you are.

Question: What are the ways you choose to express yourself? How would you like to express yourself?

Photo: Urban Art by Brendan McCarthy, San Francisco, California

The 9 Needs: Security

As I started on this blog, my intention was actually to write about freedom as a need but no matter how I tried, I couldn't wrap my mind around a definition that was satisfying to me. No wonder, freedom is my last need on the list for me!  But security.... now that I can talk about :)

Those with security as a need want to feel safe and snug, all tucked in without a care in the world with all the monsters outside the door. Security often takes the form of collections of people and things which create the false sense of stability and security- of course, true security only comes from inside but try to tell that to someone with security as a need! This need tends to stockpile with loads of tangible goods- houses, money in the bank, a financial "plan" which includes saving for retirement, a need to know that everything is "ok". Folks with this need often play is safe, unwilling to risk their safety net for the chance of a pie in the sky adventure or thrill.

Security also plays out through relationships as this need seeks stability in marriage and long term partnerships. Remember the Tortoise and the Hare story? The tortoise was slow, stable, patient, and grounded. Yep, that's security. The Hare is a risk taker but not our Tortoise!

Security likes to build its nest and save for a rainy day. Better to be safe than sorry might be it's motto.
Or something about a penny wise and a pound foolish.....

The 9 Needs: Expression

Those of us, myself included, who have chosen expression as one of the three primary needs need to find ways of expressing ourselves in order to maintain psychological health. With expression in the lead position or one of the top 3, it is important to allow for personal expression in as many ways as possible and which could include

* Artistry in the life  Any number of ways to express in daily life such as how you dress both yourself
and your environment
* Creative outlets   Music, Art, Drama, Writing, Dance  These expressive venues can include both doing them yourself or going to hear music and other expressive arts.
*Verbal expression   Yes, those of us with expression as a primary need seem to need to talk alot!  It's ok, it's just part of who you are.

Question: What are the ways you choose to express yourself?

Art by Brendan McCarthy