It’s a common belief in lower income communities that all a child requires to survive is food, shelter, and water. “A horse is typically supplied with food, water, and shelter. Am I not worth more than that?” I’ve come to realize that more is required.

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?” Matthew 6: 25.

Matthew 6: 25.

So what do I mean by saying, “More is Required?” I’m so glad you asked that question. That kind’ve frees me up to answer it.

Let me stop and say this: I come from the belief that we all have mental deficiencies whether they are the more socially acceptable ones like anxiety, fear, shame, arrogance or even narcissism. Or the more severe mental illnesses like schizophrenia, bi-polar, or bouts of psychosis.

Slowing down even more, I’m going to focus in on the child to shed light on the makeup of a person.

What makes us tick? Well, It’s the inner child. We may not think so, but let’s talk about it. In our day to day lives, we all seek to have fun, follow the rules and simultaneously break the rules. Sounds a lot like a kindergartener, huh? But it also weirdly sounds like you, right?

I was listening to a sports podcast, and one commentator said that we have to get out of this mindset that every time a kid does something wrong it is a mental health issue. I stopped and thought to myself; I understand what you are saying, but I don’t completely agree with it. While every issue can’t be blamed on a major mental illness, it can be blamed on a mental lack or deficiency of some kind.

Mistakes happen, yes, but why?

Individuals living in an environment of lack for ex: poverty, typically make decisions from a place of lack. A lack of judgment, a lack of understanding, a lack of logical reasoning. These issues of lack are mental deficiencies. We see this a lot with ourselves, friends and family, or a random passerby. An unsatisfied child grows up to be an unsatisfied, seeking adult: seeking experiences, positive body image, support, love, etc, etc.

If we don’t nurture the child or care for the child correctly, that adult never sprouts up properly. We end up walking around looking like a bunch of grown-up children. When the child isn’t satisfied, that person can spend an entire adulthood trying to quench that thirst for what was missed out on as a kid.