There Are 25 Things that Everyone Needs!

In Dr. Seuss' story about the Lorax, who speaks for the trees, there was a character called the "Onceler" who manufactured "Thneeds" that "everyone needs." Well, nobody needs thneeds, or half the other stuff we all collect around ourselves. However, authors Harold G. Koenig and Andrew J. Weaver, in the book Counseling Troubled Older Adults, came up with a list (pp. 231-232) of 25 psychological and spiritual needs of older adults. I contend these are 25 psychological and spiritual needs of everyone. What do you think?

1. a need for meaning and purpose
2. a need for a sense of usefulness
3. a need for vision
4. a need for hope
5. a need for support in coping with loss and change
6. a need to adapt to increasing dependency (okay, maybe everybody doesn't need this one ... yet)
7. a need to transcend difficult circumstances
8. a need for personal dignity
9. a need to express feelings
10. a need to be thankful
11. a need for continuity with the past
12. a need to accept and prepare for death and dying
13. a need to be certain that God exists
14. a need to believe that God is on their side
15. a need to experience God's presence
16. a need to experience God's unconditional love
17. a need to pray alone, with others, and for others
18. a need to read and be inspired by Scripture
19. a need to worship God, individually and corporately
20. a need to love and serve God
21. a need for fellowship with others [including play]
22. a need to love and serve others
23. a need to confess and be forgiven
24. a need to forgive others
25. a need to cope with the death of loved ones

It's a good list. Which parts do you have covered? Which parts do you need to work on? What would you add to the list?

God bless you on your journey!