Maslow

Somewhere way, way, way back in my university days we had in some class or other been 'invited' to discuss Maslow's Heirarchy of Needs. I seem to recall it was a pyramid shape. The proposal is that this is how humans are motivated - physical needs first moving up through social and intellectual needs…

There you go a nice internet image - with colour.

One of my priorities here is to grow food. Food and shelter (physiological needs) are the first platform on Maslow's hierarchy of needs.

Who would have thought at this stage of my life I would take myself back to square 1?

The next layer is safety. OK I feel safe with where I'm at - no bears or tigers or war or tsunamis. There is no point feeling unsafe about earthquakes in these Shaky Isles - that way lies perpetual anxiety and descent into madness. If it shakes, it shakes.

Social needs are a step higher again - belonging. The neighbours have been pretty good about inclusivity but I did have a moment of homesickness for my English way of life while out walking Scully today - cycle group, sailing, Repair Cafe, Litterpick group, eating out and visits to cafes. Here the social highlight seems to be outings to bait and clear traps for rats and mustelids.

The top layers of Maslow's theory about psychological motivation are self-esteem and self-actualization. Something tells me I've tipped his pyramid upside down.

I did have to find out what self-actualization means.  Here's an aide:

I suspect what that really means is simply:

BE MORE CAT

A very self-actualized soul.