Need to want to need...

Deficiency of a few things in life may cause severely negative outcomes: food, clothing, shelter, water, even love. These things are indispensable for subsistence and are categorized as ‘needs’. They are often subjective and felt differently by people. There is a frequent mix-up of needs and wants and the underlying emotional tone of needs and wants time and again adds to the confusion.

• I need to get through this exam
• I need to lose 5 kgs this month
• I need a new outfit for the prom
• I need this new job desperately
• I need to teach him a lesson
• I need to win the beauty contest

Needs have been a favored topic of discussion by philosophers, psychologists as well as politicians. Needless to say; everyone has needs!
Need types
Conceptions of need vary from person to person. There are some basic human necessities that are clearly defined. An average of 1000 to 2400 calories as of dietary intake, 1500 to 2000 ml of water, fresh and clean air, 6 to 8 hours of sleep per night; these would make most human beings survive. The fulfillment of basic needs paves way for higher needs for security, love, advancement, growth and the ultimate goal of nirvana. One cannot reach step 10 of the ladder without climbing the first 9. Basic needs typically should be met initially so that higher needs are set and accomplished.
Believing that you need
Needs stem from beliefs. One needs to hold the proposition that a particular object or emotion is truly ‘needed’ (she needs to love me back so that I am happy!). When you believe something it is built on your premise that it is true. 

• You believe your partner loves you (so you need to keep her happy)
• You believe that you are smart (so you need to keep your image high)
• You believe your friends are loyal (so you need to throw that surprise party)
• You believe that life is worth it (so you need to work hard and make the best of it)

And the world suddenly seems like a better place on the footing of your beliefs of what you need. At the same time, there is a multitude of not so good scenarios in life, when things are not as good as one may like them to be.

• You agree that you are overweight (so you need to lose weight)
• Your children are quite disobedient (they need to be taught a lesson)
• You may believe that you are being underpaid (so you need to be paid more)
• You think you merit more time from your spouse (so he or she needs to do more)

And suddenly life seems to be agonizing. Beliefs are the building blocks of conscious thoughts, emotions and actions. Beliefs ought to be flexible enough to differentiate between needs and wants.
The want to need and the need to want
The former concept was to distinguish needs form wants and thus curb the unrequired unclenched desires that seed in the greedy human mind. Wants signify ravenousness; while needs are conceived as inevitabilities. The gluttonous conscience blends the two by making one want to need, as well as need to want; thereby justifying greed. Higher level needs are appropriate; they involve personal growth and help one rise on the ladder to enlightenment. Need for growth, need for achievement, need for successes are all vindicated cravings; however need for conquest, for supremacy, power and aggression are not. Want the right needs and need the apposite wants so that life becomes worthwhile and accomplishments turn out to be meaningful.