In 1943 Abraham Maslow developed A Theory of Human Motivation stating that their are five distinct levels of Human Needs, and one can not be gained without first attaining the previous level. Basic needs of food, water, shelter must be met before a person is able to feel secure, seek gainful employment, or take the next step upwards to love and belonging.

Last month, when I purchased a small condo, in my new hometown of Kelowna, B.C. I recognized this truth to be a deeper conditioning than I had previously realized. For the first time in 6 or 7 years, I feel at home. I can unpack, more than my boxes! I can gather or collect 'stuff' without thinking of the weight or bulk and the need to pack it and eventually carry it to my next lodging.

This recognition of the calming, peaceful and secure feeling gained from buying my own 'permanent' home has deepened my appreciation of the service we provide as Realtors to home buyers. I too, was reluctant to choose my home, hesitated for a few years, watching, waiting, for market fluctuations, the perfect place to materialize, the city, town, location that would best serve my needs.

But really, all I needed was the motivation, the guidance, the knowing of the inner peace a home would bring psychologically to me. The knowing that it is not the outer shell, but the space within, that we are purchasing. Within the walls, and within us.

A Basic need, to go home.

I was already late as I waited for the green turn light, trying to resist the pull left towards the mountain road. Today would be a good day to drive up the mountain, I mused. Perhaps later, if I complete my tasks before sundown, I reasoned resolutely steering into traffic, following the migration towards city center.

But the mountain still called, the blue of the sky, whimsical clouds floating lazily on the horizon. It is almost spring in Kelowna, February 2, 2012. Groundhog day. A brilliant, perfect day. I feel blessed to be a Realtor. I am outdoors most days, meandering through traffic, mixing at sidewalk cafe's, feeling the warmth of the sun as I unlock a red door. But the mountain still called, the gentle breeze almost non existent, the solidarity of the trees defining the grade.

Finally, at precisely 4:27 I passed through the iron and stone gates at the Kelowna Cemetary, and began the descent to what I perceive to be the most sacred ground in our town. Past the Kelowna Golf Course, past the historical monument marking 100 years of internment, to the turnabout, high above the city at the top of the Mountain.

I sit silently, as the final strains of Guns N'Roses November Rain echoes from my speakers, my iPhone MP3 file is being broadcast through a bluetooth device, powered by the 12 volt cigarette lighter (a relic from days gone by) converted to an analogue signal and playing over the AM/FM radio. This is amazing. That we have the ability to convert the signal. Technology.

Do you need some time...on your own
Do you need some time...all alone
Everybody needs some time...
On their own
Don't you know you need some time...all alone...

The settling sun casts a golden spell, the ultimate beauty seducing me to step from the car, silencing Axl Rose, as I double tap the camera, seize the moment and snap a photo. Captured. Beauty.

Moments later I hit send, transmitting the digital image to a friend, with a caption reminding him of an old Lakota saying attributed to Crazy Horse "Today is a good day to die" and the significance behind the statement. Technology. It connects. It binds. It separates and it disassociates. Or none of the above - it is the driver, who turns the key, and steers the wheel.

We all have choices. Choose wisely.

A few months ago I wrote an Activerain success story and how my presence on Activerain, along with my blogging had connected me with another RainMaker, Robert Twaron. My story revealed how our virtual friendship had resulted in Robert me a pet cow (or calf) for my Granddaughter.

The saga continues, as Abby's anticipation for her new pet grows, and inspires her - to the point that she has now began 'cutting classes' learning how to coral her new calf. Since the cow is still an imaginary one, her Mom has rigged up a mechanical makeshift cow in a neighboring arena and 5 year old Abby, mounts Mickey her little pony and proceeds to rein, twist and turn the pony. As with most 5 year olds, not being in the arena, or on a horse does not prevent Abby from training and learning - as I learned on our recent Mexican vacation, when I spent many a day following the order "Gramma pretend you are a cow' and being 'cut' as I strolled down the beach.

A cow, a story, a holiday transformed through an unlikely connection, on ActiveRain. The magnitude of the universe overwhelms. But it really is all about imagination, isn't it.

Wiggles

Inspiration to write. You should blog again, he said. I haven't felt inspired lately. she said. I've been doing reno's.

We all need a nudge sometimes, to get out of the rocking chair, climb the stairs and follow a passion. Life has a way of clouding our vision. Kitchen sinks, casings, plaster and china toilets. Litter our grey matter with inches and centimerters. Primers and paint. Chips. That block the arteries of inspiration.

The more fortunate among us respond to the nudges, awaken prior to the Quadruple Bypass, and start exercising the need to lead with our hearts, and follow with our brains.

Last summer I was at a U-Pick Cherry orchard, getting instructions on picking when the guide mentioned the abundance of rain received that summer had caused many cherries to burst the outer skin - which did not affect the taste or goodness of the cherries, just rendered them unsightly. Kinda like stretch marks - the young woman said.

I found that odd. Later, while sitting under the shade of a cherry tree, I reflected on her words.

CHERRY PICKING By Sharon Lancaster

Bunches of cherries hang from the trees

Nuggets of flesh, impregnated by bees.

Families of Foreigners flock to the fields

Selecting the ripest, the plumpest, the sweetest

That the orchard can yield.

Laughter and language mesh into one,

Reaching and picking till each tree is done.

I listen, I watch, I observe,

I feel.

Alone in the Orchard, Alone, and surreal.

But not like Salvador Dali,

who painted his fears.

More like a Sage,

Knowledge spanning the years.

Everywhere I look I see harvest and wealth

Families and cherries,

Abundant with health.

But here is a cracked one, the flesh raw and bared,

Left alone in the orchard frightened and scared.

Not to be picked, selected or chosen.

Never to be sliced, boiled or frozen.

How does a cherry feel?

Left on the branch.

Was it purposely ignored or missed just by chance?

I choose to believe, I choose to hope

That one lonely cherry has methods to cope.

With the feelings of loneliness, rejection and loss

Being the one with the stretch marks.

The one that got tossed.

The written word, spoken, sang, dictated,

Prayed or said.

Meanings misled.

Communications fraught with one liners, cliche's and misspellings.

Thoughts we read, are not the things we said.

Or the words we dread.

Last night, I was privileged to participate in the Spoken Word /Inspired Word Cafe event in Kelowna, B.C. A speak easy style, informal coffee shop gathering of eclectic tastes, and eclectic peeps, brought together by a brilliant man - Rawle Iam James. Inspiration to write, to speak, to compose.

The Written word, taken to another level, another height - spoken by a Wordsmith Master - available on January 31, 2012. Streaming today .... He will speak these words of wisdom .... Going Home ....Thank you Leonard Cohen!!