I mean that it is difficult to see the fullness of the cause and effect stream that drives the reality we live in. 'Deserving' does not always equate to outcomes. None of us deserve the mental and emotional challenges we face. They are a byproduct of a force we cannot fully understand.

We can say we have made mistakes and therefore we feel poor circumstances are resonant with our efforts. Or we can say we are good people who work hard and therefore the good that comes to us feels right, but to say what happens is deserved is misleading in my opinion because the system of life does not offer a clear effort in = reward out structure.

As for needing, we can look at ourselves as in need of something. Lack is a state that is real in many cases. I cannot deny that truth. However, it is also true to say we are whole and complete beings. It is true to say we are powerful and hold the means to shift our perspectives at any time to feel as though we need nothing.

Buddhists believe the pain and suffering of the world is due to our constant craving for things that are other than what we have in the moment. Our perpetual dissatisfaction if you will. We find something of enjoyment and we move onto the next thing we crave before we have fully enjoyed the first. We cling to what once brought joy and miss the opportunity to fully live in the moment. 'Need' isn't always need. It is often craving what we wish to be and clinging to what once was.

If you take the variables of deserving and need out of the equation, you dial the craving and clinging back. In theory, one would then experience less suffering.

Just some alternate ways to think about our lot in life. We experience some extreme hardships and tests upon our will and character. It helps me to see myself as whole and powerful at times. It helps when I can let go of chasing what I think I deserve and clinging to what I can't let go of. I can't always get there, but when I can it helps with balance and reduces my suffering, or what the Buddhists call Duhkha.