Something to Read
The Foundation of Humanity
I first learned about Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs while teaching an introductory public speaking course in graduate school. In that first semester of teaching, I understood it enough to teach it, but not enough to grasp just how deeply it applies to real life. Over time, I’ve come to see this theory not just as an academic model, but as a mirror for what it takes to build a thriving, compassionate society.
Maslow’s framework reminds us that before we can reach for self-actualization (e.g., creativity, purpose, meaning), we must first have the foundation of physiological stability: food, water, sleep. These aren’t luxuries; they’re the conditions that make everything else possible. When people don’t have consistent access to food or shelter, their focus must, by necessity, narrow to survival. And when too many members of a community are forced to live in that survival state, the entire pyramid begins to falter.
A few key insights from current research help illuminate why this matters so much:
Maslow’s hierarchy is best viewed as descriptive, not prescriptive. It doesn’t tell us how people should behave, but it helps explain what motivates us. When basic physiological needs go unmet, they dominate our mental and physical energy, leaving little capacity for growth or creativity.
The “pyramid” we know today wasn’t Maslow’s original creation. That shape came later, popularized by psychologist Charles McDermid, who was inspired by a step-shaped management model. Maslow’s work was far less rigid, he understood that while culture and context shape how we meet our needs, the human requirement for food, safety, and belonging remains universal.
In this season of gratitude and giving, I keep thinking about how fragile the base of our shared pyramid has become for so many. Ensuring that everyone has access to life’s essentials isn’t charity, it’s the first step toward a society where self-actualization is truly possible for all.
“Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: A Theory of Human Motivation” was a thoughtful and recent look at why Maslow’s framework still matters, especially in understanding human motivation in today’s uncertain world.
Something to Hear
Quiet Giving, Real Safety
In our local grocery store, there’s a large shelf right by the checkout lanes. It’s piled high with identical grocery bags filled with Thanksgiving “fixings.” Shoppers can grab a bag as they start unloading their groceries, hand it to the cashier, and that’s it.
Lunch Break picks up every one of those bags directly from the store. A simple choice, a quick, less-than-$40 decision while standing in line, becomes a full Thanksgiving meal for a local family. Lunch Break is a local nonprofit in Red Bank, NJ that has been serving our community for 42 years. The ease with which they allow people to help each other is a blueprint for communities everywhere: small, accessible actions that make it possible for more people to have a big impact. No fanfare. No pressure. No expectation of recognition. Just dignity, consistency, and care.
As we continue exploring Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs this month, this week brings us to the second level: safety and security. Last week we talked about how food rests at the foundation. But the next layer, stability, predictability, and safety, depends on the first. When people know they will have enough to eat, they can finally shift their energy from surviving to living.
That’s what organizations like Lunch Break offer: not just meals, but a sense of steady ground.
Take 2 minutes to listen and learn about Lunch Break and their incredible story of support for the last 40+ years.
Something to Do
Start at the Base
With less than a week until one of the most food-focused holidays in the US, I’ve found myself struggling with the usual excitement and preparation. The thing is, I should be more introspective every year, not just this one.
Did you know that more than 44 million people in the United States face food insecurity, including over 13 million children? I didn’t. And now that I do, I can’t stop thinking about it.
This year, I’m challenging myself to do something more. To give back and support my community in a tangible way. If you’re reading this and feel compelled, let’s make “doing” contagious this season. “Doing” to help our communities meet their most basic needs with dignity, respect, humanity, and plentiful tables.
This month, we’ve reflected on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and the reminder that before we can dream, create, or thrive, we must first have stability in life’s essentials. Food, water, and rest form the foundation that everything else depends on. When those needs go unmet, the human mind does what it must: it fixates on survival. And when too many people are forced to live in that state, our collective potential weakens.
If we want to strengthen the base of the pyramid for everyone, we can start small: by helping someone else meet a fundamental need.
This month’s Something to Do? Donate to your local food pantry.
Use Feeding America’s Food Bank Finder to locate a community pantry near you. Even a few cans, a few dollars, or a few minutes volunteering can help someone meet the most essential level of need.
Something to See
As many load up their carts for holiday meals and others move through their usual routines, we’re sending warmth and gratitude your way, today and always.