ASK THE PSYCHOLOGIST ISSUE 68: PERFECT MOMENTS, A GIFT FROM GOD
My belief is consistent with Dr William Glassers Judeo- Christian Values (Judeo-Christian values refer to a shared system of ethics, morals, and social beliefs rooted in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) and the New Testament. Proponents view these principles as foundational to Western civilization, emphasizing human dignity, individual accountability, and objective moral truths.), expressed in his Choice Theory Psychology/Reality Therapy, with the premise that, every human being is born with certain psychological and physical needs that they attempt to meet, in one way or another, every day of their life. Unless one has some type of genetic defect, they spend their life attempting to meet their physical needs for food, clothing and shelter and provided they can reasonably meet these needs; then they can go on attempting to meet their higher psychological needs for Involvement (Love and Belonging), Power (Self Worth, Positive Achievement), Freedom (Making Productive Choices) and Fun (Learning New Helpful Information). Of special not was the fact that Dr Glasser was my friend and mentor from 1974 until his passing in 2013, at 88 years old.
There are perfect moments in an individual’s life, when all these needs are normally met, momentarily, to the maximum extent possible. I was first able to become aware of this occurring when my daughter was seven years old, having a starring role in a musical theater production of Meet Me In St Louis. The theater was a major venue, with 3,000 seats in the round. She was featured in one scene where she was sitting up in bed, singing a song to her teddy bear. Center stage, multiple spotlights shinning on her only, full orchestra accompanying her singing. When the song was completed, 3.000 people, all around her in the audience, exploded with a thunderous applause. After the show ended, in the dressing room backstage, my daughter stated her body was tingling all over. I explained to her that this feeling happens seldom in life and when it does, appreciate it as a wonderful gift. Since she was destined to be in the performing arts, due to her innate talent, I figured this would be a good teaching opportunity. I explained that many people ,who have experienced what she had just described, want this feeling all the time and try to create it by using brain altering drugs. If one believes in the devil, this is evils means of stealing one’s soul. Without rational thinking skills, created by brain altering drugs, bad and hurtful decisions are common occurrances.
After that experience, I realized that perfect moments are more than times when all a person’s needs are being met at once; they are gifts from God, who embedded these needs in every human being to guide us toward Godliness.
As a reminder why we have these needs, God’s gift is to allow all human beings to experience special perfect moments.
If you ask people in general to describe a perfect moment in their life, you will find everyone can recall these moments. I asked my plumber recently this question and he was quick to reply, watching his child being born.
Writing this article got me thinking about my earliest perfect moments, that I can now see were gifts from God. Some perfect moments I can recall were: My father carrying me, when I was a child, from the car to my bed, being the oldest of 5 children, having a late lunch every day with my mother, that she prepared for me alone, at the family home, prior to leaving for graduate classes, pitching a no hitter in an all-star game, not missing a shot in a basketball game, getting married, watching my children’s birth, listening to my priests sermon, discussing in dept a conversation, I had in my car with my daughter, minutes before church, teaching a continuing education class, attended by my mentors, Dr Glasser and General Lynch, etc. etc.
Ask yourself about your own perfect moments, that can’t be readily explained but are truly a gift from God.
COMMENTS:
“Hi Bart,I read your message again, shared it with M…., we had a lot of fun talking about our “Perfect Moments”..That really was one of your best.!!All my best, God Bless.”.. L..
“Beautiful Reflection – Thanks -R..”
P. Billings, Ph.D.
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