Everyone has needs. It is a part of being human. So, I find it interesting that making yourself a stronger person requires that you get rid of your needs. Perhaps, your dependence on your parents. Perhaps, your dependence on the approval of others. Perhaps, your dependence on self-approval.

Doesn’t this mean that by making yourself a stronger person, you make yourself less human?

In a way, I suppose, this idea makes sense. If we look back at our gods from ancient times, few were similar in appearance to us, and all were immortal; these were the simplest ways of expressing that the gods were not like us, that they were not human. And that all men aspired to be gods, to escape their needs, is not so surprising. We have so many limitations that we should certainly want to escape.

But in giving up our needs and limitations, what else do we give up?

We slowly surrender that which makes us human for strength, but is strength worth the loss?

Strength of personality is something that all pursue. But perhaps in pursuing this strength we distance ourselves from ourselves. Should we embrace our flaws and surrender our dream of perfection? Perhaps the ultimate goal was never such an ultimate goal.