"Research...has shown that once your basic needs are met, additional income does little to raise your sense of satisfaction with life."

- TIME, January 7, 2005; p. A5

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There are very few of us who wouldn't want just a little more "additional income." Even if we have a little excess in our monthly account, we wouldn't turn down a few more bills.

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But research, history and human experience seem to show that once one's basic needs are met, additional income does little [yes, it's seems hard to believe, but does LITTLE] to raise your overall sense of satisfaction with Life. Having said that, the research begs the questions:

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- What would you consider to be your "basic needs?"

- And how do you define your "overall sense of satisfaction?"

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Tough questions to conceptualize, but consider this: Di and I have informed our children on several occasions, "There is a big difference between what we want and what we need." We are amazingly constructed creatures; composed of endless wants and finite needs. And the endless struggle between the two. And what is the deciding factors?

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Security. Love. Friendship. Nourishment. Shelter. Each are basic physical needs, but also emotional/psychological needs. We each have a need to feel safe, feel loved, feel connected, feel nurtured and feel sheltered - both physically and emotionally. Basic needs, but necessary needs... nothing extra, but every one of them extraordinary to our own self satisfaction.

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And the rest? My friend, they're frosting - beyond the basic needs, they only bring on sweetness for a moment. The meat of what matter lies beneath the frosting, my friend, in a double-layered self satisfaction of Life.

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