Self-Esteem and Maslow's Theory. Or, an Elephant and a Poodle.: SHORT STORY #23. Nonfiction series #1 - # 60.

When the author was a student, she and her friends loved the Maslow’s theory that they learned in one of their economics classes.  The theory has 5 steps of the “Hierarchy of Needs.” or “A Theory of Human Motivation.”

The 1st step, or the lowest is—the most fundamental, basic physical needs: food, water, shelter, and clothing. The 5th step is—the most advanced, it is where a person grows into noble traits of character; having dignity, honor, and morality; high creativity, problems solving abilities; treating everyone equally, doing great things for others.

On this self-actualization step, a person has reached such a level of personal and intellectual development that he is looking how to help others and society. It becomes a higher calling for her or him.

The author’s friends and her started claiming that they already had reached the “self-actualization” step.

So, how the readers could reach a self-actualization step? Please find an answer in this story.