Abraham Maslow's Theory On Happiness Is The Key To True Happiness

For most of us, happiness often seems situational. We may believe that it comes from what we had to eat today or how we are treated by those that surround us, but happiness is much more. Abraham Maslow formed a theory based on a pyramid that he believes is the key to finding true happiness. This pyramid starts with basic things such as: hunger, thirst, bodily comforts, and safety. As we make our way to the top of Maslow’s pyramid he starts to discuss more advanced things that he believes will lead us to true happiness. He proves that happiness is not situational but is a constant and a common goal that we as people all share. For most people, happiness seems hard to achieve because of the difficulty in finding self-contentment.
Abraham Maslow …show more content…
Some find fulfilment in love or being accepted; others may find fulfilment through money and achievements. I believe that true self-fulfillment can only come from one’s self-contentment. You may believe that money or someone who cares about you can solve all your problems, but most people just want more. Wanting more seems to be a problem with a lot of people in society today. Everyone wants the new “Michal Kors” wrist watch or the “Louis Vuitton” handbag just to find enough esteem fulfilment for the next couple months. Maslow refers to this stage in his pyramid as “Esteem Needs”. In this stage is when you feel competent and able to be recognized. I believe that the many unrealistic standards that people have made in our society make it difficult for some to feel acknowledged or even capable of success at …show more content…
By keeping up with the most current fashion or by obtaining the “best body” you can gain respect from others, but having an amazing and loving family doesn’t gain the same respect. I have an amazing dad and two loving sisters that have been there for me since day one. My dad, being a disabled only parent, has done his best to provide for me and my sisters but hasn’t always been able to give us everything we want. People at school looked down on me for this. I never had nice clothes or the “cool” stuff that everyone else had. I have been forced to grow up in a materialistic world where I felt that I didn’t belong. Throughout this experience I found self-contentment. I found that I may not have all the nice stuff that other people were privileged to have, but I had enough. I had food on my table, a house to come home to, and loving family that I wouldn’t trade for the world. Through this experience I achieved an understanding within myself and my situation. I became comfortable with myself and understood what I needed to do to next find my own success. Throughout high school I found my potential. I realized that anything that I truly wanted in my life, I had the potential to achieve. In Maslow’s theory, he refers to this step as Self-actualization. In this step is where you can realize one’s potential. The next and final step of Maslow’s pyramid he calls