Intimacy – The Needs’ Year (Week 50)
I always start my blog posts in the Needs’ Year with a personal story. Partly it’s because I want to examine how a specific need manifests itself in my life. Another purpose has been to try to capture the reader’s attention. A personal story often conveys...
Closeness – The Needs’ Year (Week 49)
“I wish I had no feelings!” I was lying at home in my teenage room thinking about the girl I was in love with. My feelings of love were unanswered and I felt like the loneliest boy in the world. If I didn’t have any feelings, I wouldn’t have to suffer as I...
Order – The Needs’ Year (Week 48)
“I’m sorry, but I need to cancel our meeting. I can’t find my ID.” I was calling a friend. We had decided to meet, going to the bank to finally sign the last documents to be able to open a bank account in the newly formed Swedish NVC association. I needed...
Shared Reality – The Needs’ Year (Week 47)
“NASA has said that if all the ice in Antarctica melts, the oceans will rise by just two decimetres.” My father looked at me encouragingly and waited for an answer. I asked (a bit weary) “Can you show me the source where NASA claims this?” For the...
Love – The Needs’ Year (Week 46)
I was in my early teens walking down the school corridor on one of the first days of ninth grade. When I reached my locker, I saw Anki and Hubbe sitting and kissing. They started giggling when they saw me. I unlocked my locker, hung up my jacket and took the school...
Play – The Needs’ Year (Week 45)
The kids are hanging on to me in bunches. A horde of 20 small seven-year-olds are trying to drag me to the ground. I stagger forward and can barely stand up. I plead in a complaining voice: “Please stop! I cannot take it anymore!” This only triggers them to try...
Beauty – The Needs’ Year (Week 44)
I stood speechless in awe for several minutes. The impressions flooded my senses and I enjoyed the splendour of the bright colours. Like so many times before, it was like I couldn’t get enough. Right then, all thoughts disappeared from my head. I was enjoying...
Movement – The Needs’ Year (Week 43)
I have just increased the weight of the barbell to over 100 kilos. I notice that the body is in tension for the coming weight. Right now, the thought of doing four repetitions of the deadlift doesn’t feel particularly joyful. Knowing that I wouldn’t be...