I had been thinking: what do people look for when they do what they do, whatever that thing they do?
I initially came up with three obvious basic human motivations:
1. Love – The need to love and be loved
2. Survival – ‘To exist’: The survival of the body and/or a person’s self-image or Ego.
3. Search for meaning or a higher purpose – The desire to know the purpose of existence. The desire to seek, reach out, or unite with a greater power.
Some people look for fame because they want to be admired. The admiration they seek is a form of love.
Some people do things and fancy being appreciated for what they do. The appreciation they seek is a form of love.
People act on their passion, joy, bliss. This is simply love.
People do things to provide for their loved ones. This is love.
The search for meaning or a higher purpose is to fill the void – a non-physical need. This search is equally motivated by love – self-love.
People kill other people; nations go to war for various reasons.
At first glance, we may say that the reason for this is simply hate. But why would one hate another if not for fear or a perceived threat from that other?
The reason could be fear, religion, self-defense, revenge, or to control more resources. These are all premised on self-preservation or the survival of body and self-image/ego.
Self-preservation of body and self-image is also a form of love – self-love – albeit a distorted sense of self-love, if you will.
It does appear that the common motivation for any action, whether it be considered an appropriate or inappropriate action, is love.
Therefore, “all we need is love”.
So don’t hesitate to wish love for friends and enemies alike, for they may be fighting an inner battle we know nothing about.
Allu Kuy: The Storyteller 