In any given moment we have two options: to step forward into growth or to step back into safety.

This is the central tenet to Maslows’s hierarchy of needs. Like a pyramid, the basic needs of safety are the foundation to growth as an individual.

There are five levels to this pyramid and each level is essential to reach the apex of human potential, to climb through the Kaos that is our lives.

At the base level of the pyramid are the the physiological requirements of simple survival. These are the things so vital that every single one of us can be connected by. The air that we breathe, the food and water that sustain us, the shelter and clothing that protect us from the elements, and the sleep that permits us the energy to keep going.

At the next level are the needs that allow us to attain the most essential tools of living. This is employment to ensure you have the financial resources of daily living. This is your basic health to keep you going each day. This is your personal property that allows you safety, the difference between a roof over your head and your roof.

These two levels work in perfect tandem to make sure you and I can simply survive. The tag team we all need. It makes sense these are the lowest tiers to living in Kaos. Is it glamorous or thriving? Absolutely not but it is surviving and the ability to be living as a champ.

A tier above this is where we start to venture into our psychological needs, starting with love and belonging. Relationships help build our sense of connection. Without these, we are surviving but on the path to dying alone. If you can get beyond the tandem of survival you can aspire to more. It makes sense this is the middle tier, the same as my championship in Olympia’s pyramid. I’m the reason everyone here besides Cade feels connected. 

Above this are the tiers I aspire to acclimate to. The next tier is esteem. This is where we can truly grow beyond the partners we’ve had and not only will people be there for us but look up to us. This is respect, status, recognition, and the self-esteem, strength, and freedom that come from it. Like having the double feature title, this is where people start to truly chase you.

At the highest point is self-actualization or in other words, achieving their true potential. We are all chasing this, the world championship of our lives, not everyone has the potential to be at the top of Olympus, but everyone can achieve their full potential if they take care of themselves and keep growing.

Then there’s the sad truth we all have to face, outside of these tiers is death. Without reaching your full potential, without esteem, without love, without our basic needs, we all perish. If you can make someone deteriorate and break enough, they will have nothing, not even life.

Start digging a plot next to your brother Cade, we’ve already made sure we’re going to push you off the apex to your damnation.