sent 61 love is a game 69 it’s only human nature down the rabbit

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it’s only...

HUMAN HUMAN NATURE

Maslow’s hierarchy is humanity’s proverbial Everest. Every chance we get, we take the necessary steps toward fulfilling our needs to get to the top.

This climb begins with our physiological needs—our most primal, basic demands for life. They are things we know we need for survival, even as we neglect them. Food, water, shelter, clothing, sleep—all aspects of life that humanity could not exist without. On occasion, we have all neglected our physiological needs, but without that foundation to support us, there is no chance of reaching more inspiring levels.

Beyond the most essential level of Maslow’s Hierarchy lies a need that extends into each and every aspect of humanity: safety. Whether it be financial or emotional, imagined or real, safety propels and motivates much of human activity. Safety extends beyond typical understanding, for it is not limited to tangible, physical danger. Rather, it considers mental and emotional danger as well. When stress or uncertainty teems below the surface, minimal energy is left to focus on anything else. The lack of mental and emotional safety stems from a variety of sources, ranging from financial security to trauma or mental illness. Although these struggles in security are not visible on the surface, they still plague our thoughts and actions.

If you were planning to climb the actual Everest, you’d start at the base and work your way up. It’s unrealistic to expect that you can begin the long, harrowing journey anywhere else. The same can be said for Maslow’s Hierarchy. Although it is challenging, we all have to start at the bottom, gazing up at the distant summit. It is easy to ignore our most basic needs and expect that this neglect will make us reach our goals faster, but greatness is nearly impossible to achieve without the proper foundation. Take back the power of the lowest levels of the pyramid. We all falter in our path to the glorious peak of Maslow’s Hierarchy, but focusing on these fundamental elements is a good start. Humans possess an innate desire to belong. We are social creatures at our core. Even the most introverted of us require interaction, lest we further contribute to the current epidemic of loneliness. Introversion itself isn’t a problem, but the isolation that can result from it certainly is. Maslow’s third level of belonging signals our need for relationships; cultivating long-term friendships, romantic relationships, and familial bonds are paramount to our survival.

EVERY CHANCE WE GET, WE TAKE THE NECESSARY STEPS TOWARD FULFILLING OUR NEEDS TO GET TO THE TOP.

No matter how self-sufficient you believe yourself to be, going through life alone is simply not how we emerged into this world to operate. Loneliness is a public health issue and only seems to worsen as the future progresses. Social media creates a false sense of connection, but true connection lies in a discussion with a seemingly random classmate or a drive with your little brother. Humans are historically social beings, from the indigenous peoples of the Americas to the early hunter-gatherers to the egalitarian Scottish clans of long ago- it is innate, something ingrained in us.

Esteem is a higher level on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. One’s self-confidence is not to be mistaken for narcissism or an unhealthy ego. That said, taking pride in your accomplishments and yourself is not only possible but essential to general wellbeing. Social media serves as a harbinger for validation—we have developed an obsession with the validation of others. The aggregation of Instagram likes and Twitter follows and countless other online labels create false ideas in our minds regarding what is necessary to be perceived as “highly esteemed.” To be content with your inner being is to pause for a moment. Take the time to find what you value most in life and thus, yourself. Step back and recognize all that you have done. Your highest self will thank you. It’s crucial to remember that at the end of your life, you will be the only person left to fend for yourself and prop you up, and therefore cultivating that esteem of your own volition is the end goal. Start small: say one thing you like about yourself every day. Celebrate even your smallest of victories. Take a second to breathe and acknowledge everything you’ve done.

You were put on this planet for a reason. Whether you believe it to be the will of a higher power or the simple conception of biological cells, your creation was not accidental. You have a deeper purpose. This deeper purpose, this true fulfillment, is what we spend our whole lives trying to envelop. Maslow designated selfactualization as the highest level of human need.

Reaching a point of true enlightenment is unattainable without the satisfaction of the preliminary steps. You cannot be self-actualized without being esteemed or held in high esteem if you’re not first loved. You cannot be loved without being safe, and being safe isn’t important if your physiological needs are not first met. Each level of Maslow’s Hierarchy is a rung in a ladder toward self-actualization and said ladder can only be climbed one step at a time. This reality stresses the importance of taking care of yourself; be sure to cherish the journey. After each step, you have worked and prepared to embrace your highest purpose. This ascension toward true fulfillment is not meant to be easy. The challenges and hiccups along the way are what readies you to step into your greatest and idealized self-image.

But once you are alive, safe, loved, and esteemed-- what sets you apart? What signifies your ideal self; what do you value most? Whether it be happiness, professional success, appearance, reciprocated love, achievement of your goals, or peace of mind, you can embody your ideal self. Self-actualization is individualized to your values and expectations. Again, you were brought into this world for a reason, and it is your duty and privilege to figure it out. Focus on what your passions are and study what you are interested in. Don’t let society’s blueprint mold you into someone you’re not. Embrace your quirks. Emphasize your individuality. There is only one you, and in order to be your ideal self, authenticity is crucial. Follow your heart all the way to the top of the ladder, rung by rung, step by step.

GRAY MATTER

Written By Isabella Botero Edited by Karina McCarthy & Lexi Fernandez

I walked along the shoreline in my old hometown. After years of chaos, I was ready to delve into nothingness. My feet pressed down into the cool, damp sand as it squirmed through the gaps in between my toes. The sand speckled my feet as I trudged along. The stars were settling into their cubbies in the atmosphere. I noticed that they, too, dotted the heavens with plain certainty. Their distance and strangeness are what entices us. However, if we were incapable of feeling emotion, would it still be as glorious? Their intended purpose is to exist; everything that happens, as a result, are unintended consequences. What had I been doing differently from the star or the sand?

Life is summed up into existence, encapsulating everything in between. Humans have thought of our existence to somehow be unique. We boast ourselves on our opposable thumbs and supposed reason. We wear it as the justification to dictate our place in the world. However, our innate instincts are tainted by our consciousness. We go through life making decision after decision when the option for many other beings is obsolete. We speckle the Earth just like the stars and the sand, and yet we cannot plainly exist until we lay our head to rest at our end.

I continued walking along the shoreline looking around at my surroundings. For a Thursday night, there had been quite a few people that peppered the scene. Mindlessly, they existed on the beach, experiencing their lives right before my eyes. There were couples intertwined on their towels, children molding the sand into kingdoms, and a few homeless men who were doing their best to stay hidden from the world. All have made drastically different decisions to end up in this exact place as each other. Were all of their choices as concrete as black and white? Or were they fuzzy and gray and grainy? Did it even matter?

I found a bare spot near the cove where the homeless men lay. I closed my eyes and lay, letting the sand seep into all of the nooks and crannies of my host. I wondered when I would reunite with these souls that were sharing the night with me. I wondered when I would be reunited with everything, into the stardust and gray matter where there was no clear difference between me and the star and the sand.

MORNING BREW

Written By Faveanny Leyva Edited by Roxy Rico & Lexi Fernandez

Have you ever left a place and felt like you forgot something? Have you ever missed something you’ve never had? Have you ever felt off but couldn’t figure out exactly why? If so, you’ve probably found yourself at an intersection in the multiverse.

Universes are never meant to cross, but on the occasion that they do, you probably have noticed, and it is rather unfortunate. It was no different for Victoria and Tomás, who met one day by chance at a small coffee shop in a big city.

Victoria was not the type to spend on coffee and usually saved by making her own at home. However, one random Tuesday in February, she woke up a little later than usual and felt it was right to indulge in purchasing a coffee to brighten the day. On that frigid morning, she stepped foot in the Wildflower Cafe and accepted she was going to be late to work but thought of all the people that were late to work on the morning of tragedies and found solace in the idea that everything happens for a reason.

Tomás always went to the cafe because it was the only shop in the state that served Cuban coffee the way his grandmother made it. Leaning on the counter to the left of the cashier, Tomás waited for his cortadito much like he did every day. He said hello to the staff much like he did every day, and he watched the customers come and go, wondering what their day had in store much like he did every day. He knew most of the usuals–he could tell you who got iced, who got hot, and who got regular milk or oat milk. He appreciated the little things, which is why he had to say something when he saw an unusual face step through the door.

People say when you meet the love of your life, time stops. This was not one of those times.

While Victoria was waiting for her order she was approached by a man whom she had not met before. He wore a sweater the color of her eyes, and his expression was confident but not condescending. His strides were few, and with each, the room got smaller and quieter until it was silent. His words broke the silence.

“Sweet or salty?”

“Excuse me?” She responded.

“Do you like sweet or salty?”

“Sweet.”

Victoria was confused as to why a grown man would ask such a stupid question to a stranger, but nevertheless, she could not help feeling a sense of familiarity as he said this. It felt like they had known each other for years, and he was simply reminding her of that one joke that would make her laugh until her sides hurt. She looked him up and down. She took in the shape of his lips and the softness of his eyes and committed each detail to memory.

“Well, that’s a shame. I was hoping you’d like me, but I’m a little cheesy.”

She did like him. She chuckled and went up to grab her order.

He watched her tuck her hair behind her ears and stopped for a moment to appreciate the small gleam from the ring on her finger. She grasped the two cups on the counter and before heading toward the door, looked at him and said,

“It was nice to see you.” 86