Need

 We are creatures of need.  We need to give love and receive love.  When I wake up I am in need of something for me even before I get out of bed.  I need to be grateful for the gift of day, vocation, bed, health and so on.  So I begin with gratitude that some of my needs are being met.  They I get needed coffee.  Then read and pray.  I am taking care of me.  I may go to a gym or run early too.  But then the needs shift to being helpful to others.  Maybe I write a blog that someone will find useful, but even if not, I still am trying to be useful and results are not up to me.  I try to be helpful around the house and with people who I run into.  Even a hello and readiness to listen may be of service to someone at that very moment.  The spiritual path is in part, moving from my needs to the needs of others.  And if you have to satisfy the needs of others first, know that at some point you have to satisfy your own needs.  Otherwise, burn-out.