Living the Water Truce of Kipling

The foundation of a thriving community rests on the shoulders of strong individuals and they are the building blocks of a successful and responsible society. A competent and confident individual will always embrace a greater company.

According to Abraham Maslow’s Theory of Needs, a highly motivated person requires first physical, safety, social and esteem needs to be fulfilled to reach one’s full potential (or self actualisation). Through this, it will turn someone into a matured and secured person who is capable of adjusting with and contributing to societal requirements.

The fundamentals to reach this heightened position include emotional security and intellectual maturity. This can be attained through food security, better economic conditions, better health and education systems and creating a caring and sharing environment in society. Interestingly, this ideal society can be created through strong individuals but at the same time, a strong individual is made out of such communities, so this relationship is symbiotic.

Once someone has mastered these two vital aspects, a strong and integrated community can be formed. It is only when a man’s belly is full that he looks up from his plate and notices the others at the table. The primary priority, thus, is to satiate the essential necessities of a person.

As a society we may put demands on an individual to expect the qualities of co-operation, tolerance, respect and integrity of a good citizen but that may not be possible by just placing mere expectations on them to deliver these attributes. What needs to be given most importance is to create an ambience to nurture and empower individuals so that they can satisfy the needs of a group and serve the community at large. Without doing this, it would become a perfect example to explain the famous phrase ‘putting the cart before the horse.’

One would then be able to uphold the significance of diversity, foster the values of respect and tolerance and also, understand the importance of shared responsibility within a group.

Respect and recognition come hand-in-hand with emotional security. Liberty is an essential requirement for individuals. It can be protected only if a person is mature enough to take the necessary responsibilities along with it. Independence is a desire not everyone can handle. It is possible to attain this sovereignty only if all the members of the community can handle the freedom and still be sensitive to the needs of other fellow community members.

A contented, joyfulness of the heart will automatically embrace life wholesomely. An innocent mind will always cherish the uniqueness and the preciousness of living. A child reared with these values can find the delight in daily social existence. Individuation can be reached once a person feels safe and centred and works towards opening one’s mind to accept and find