Okay, here goes.

[katesm]

About the four pillars.

* These ten needs, divided into the four pillars, are genetically programmed into everyone of us. So we cannot maintain contentment without them, or avoid them.

* If we imagine that the four pillars are like legs of a table, with three or four intact it is easy to stand on the table. But with two or less, our energy is focussed on staying upright and we may describe our lives as just "surviving" or "staying afloat". Therefore, and luckily for us, in order to feel contented, we only need a total of three pillars. But if we spend too much time below three pillars, we feel discontent, empty, restless. This results in depression.

* Having several things in each pillar increases our sense of stability.

* Addictions and other substitutes give temporary satistfaction for empty pillars and discontentment.

* The four pillars?

The first three needs are common to ALL living organisms.

1/ Survival needs. Nourishment, Habitat and Security.

2/ A home. Safety, Roots and Stability.

3/ Physical and psychological health.

Man, that's only pillar one!

Okay, onto pillar two.

Life partners/ and/ or children.

1/ PARTNER represents our need for someone with who we can share our life with, and it is quite different from our other social needs

2/ For this need to be met, the relationship should be equitable, honest and giving. These qualities should flow BOTH ways. We do not need to rescue, or be rescued. We are individual.

3/ Nurture. This does not need to be children. We can nurture animals, the aged, or even younger relatives. Nuture is good for our souls. We receive what we give.

Okay, bloody pillar three!

1/ Social relationships. Humans are social creatures. We need to have social relationships outside of the romantic sense. If we don't, we suffer social anorexia. A social anorectic finds it hard to imagine that anyone can like them. They can only connect with others sufffering the same anorexia. Wrong, wrong, wrong! We are capable of being likeable. Not only likeable, but bloody loved.

2/ Whether it be recreational or intimate relationships, our individuality needs to stand alone. We are what we are. Relationships are two-way, but only honesty wins. Be honest.

Pillar bloody four.

1/ Meaning and growth.

This need seems to kick in during the teenage years. Unfortunately the alternatives to spirituality have been taken over by money, success, or even a good sporting career.

2/ As a result, many can be left with a sense of meaningless in their lives. Spirituality is not dependent upon any external factors. It is within ourselves.

I have a test if anyone would like to take it.

[meditation mama]

Wow.. That is amazing reading.. Thanks!

[lushy]

That is good stuff! I would be interested in the test......

Interested in test also. Thanks.

Starlight Impress x

[katesm]

Just have to work out how to scan it up here.

I took the test and was sadly depleted in area 3.

Gotta get some friends!

[12many]

Hi Kate-

What a terrific post. Also interested in the test.

As for friends, you recently made hundreds by finding this place. And they are the strongest, most dependable friends there are. They can hold up a corner of any table you can throw at them while simultaneuously helping you to find ways (YOUR ways, but we all needs help finding or rediscovering sometimes) to hold up the other corners.

Cheers,
Dave

[katesm]

Can someone help me? I've scanned the test into a file, but I can't get it to post. What am I doing wrong?

With thanks,

Little old computer illiterate me.

[trixietrack]

katesm I am glad you posted this. I saw that you mentioned it in another post and was going to PM you I would love test.
thanks it came just at the right time.

Trix

[katesm]

Hi Dave,

Oddly, having been there and done that, I find my greatest comfort in the friends I've made here.

You're right, I have so many shoulders to lean on, so many hearts to hear me, what more could I ask for?

The four pillars concept is simply a way of seeing how we can improve our lives.

We need to sustain ourselves. This involves work. Bugger!

[luCKy]

i bet the test is too big to post kate