In a sense, we are all children….the fundamental needs we had as a child don’t go away just because we are now an adolescent or an adult; those needs are still quite prevalent; but, because they have been met, are taken care of, on a daily basis, we focus on higher more pressing needs….
The needs of a child are simple: nourishment, both physical and psyche-logical and safety, both physical and psychelogical. From those needs being met, trust develops; trust in others, trust in the world, and trust in self.
Our fundamental sense of trust, formed during childhood, permeates our perceptions and we are ever responsive to threats to safety, and nourishment. For the most part, there are no or minimal threats, and we continue on our path of lessons through our gradations of developmental stages working with higher needs of self identity and engagement with the larger community. But, all the while, within us and within everyone we meet, is the child….with ongoing needs of nourishment and safety….
You might say that a child needs love, care, encouragement, etc.,etc….I agree, and have lumped those all into the psyche-logical nourishment category…..What can be more nourishing to Psyche than love, care and encouragement…..And, when it comes to those things, we are ever children….
