Pictures come alive ~ you can dance right through your life"
- Irene Cara
***
The drought is finally over.
Thank.
God.
Personally and professionally the taps are flowing once again.
Hallelujah.
I spent the first weekend (after dry January), on a bus trip with 40 very happy people who were sipping away on some of Niagara's small boutique wineries' finest cab's. (And yes, the gnocchi was mighty fine that I had for lunch.)
Speaking of which, the whole 3 day fasting thing was rather fascinating to explore and not at all what I envisioned.
I thought I would be so exhausted that I would need to take frequent naps throughout the day, counting down the minutes and hours to go to bed. It was, in fact, completely the opposite. I felt like someone had stuck my finger in an electrical socket I was so wired. For three days, there was nothing but two bulletproof coffee's per day that entered my system and the caffeine impacted me in a way I never could have foreseen. I barely slept. I was so focused I would imagine it would equate to taking Adderall and I can't imagine why I did not discover this when I was in school. I bet studying for Chemistry would've gone much better on a fast, than alternating study sessions at a keg party.
I did not, however, miraculously stimulate cell renewal and fix the sun damage on my face. Sadly, I still had to keep my dermatologist appointment, which, after "suffering" 3 days of no food - the doctor told me was not skin cancer, and I quote "it's age."
Fabulous.
Which brings me to a point.
I am wrong far more often than I am right.
***
Things I have said in the past year and a half ~
- I am not going back into the workforce to work for someone else
- I am going to work as a full-time Reflexologist
- I will have multiple revenue streams and never again dedicate my time to working a full-time job again
- I will not get a job "less than" what I was doing before
- I am going to be a best selling writer like Sophie Kinsella or Elizabeth Gilbert and be on Ellen
Reality.
- My idea of selling the house and moving into a double wide trailer was not popularly received
- I had to put bags of frozen peas on my hands the pain was so bad from practicing reflexology and there is no way I could do this full-time
- While I still totally stand firm on my belief in multiple revenue streams, it appears a base is somewhat necessary if you have not won the Lotto 649. (Is there even still a lotto 649 - ??)
- There is no such thing as "less than". The statement should read "I will get a job only doing what I love."
- I still have hope.
***
It's funny how often we can apply Einstein's definition of insanity to our lives.
During the month of lovely dry January, I was up at 6am sharp every morning, coffee and journal in hand, with one solid intention of getting a new job that I loved.
I have notes from the past 567 days of not working - jobs I've applied for, lists of responsibilities or accountability that I wanted in a new role, meetings I've had.
The first thing that I noticed was that none of my searches reflected what I actually wanted to do. I wanted a role that included auditing, training, advising and coaching but I was searching for leadership roles that didn't necessarily focus on those areas.
The second thing I noticed was that I had boxed myself in.
I was searching for jobs that were within a km radius of Burlington, but the roles I was interested in weren't likely to have a home base here.
Every morning I asked myself "what is it that I need to be doing differently to find a role that will match what I'm looking for."
I made two changes. I changed the title and the radius. If I wanted a position that carried range, what would happen if I opened up my search to Ontario, instead of limiting it locally to where I was. Who cares if it was based out of Windsor if the job was mobile.
The second I actually saw "the" posting and researched it, I was pretty certain it was where I was going. There were too many synchronicities that lined up and seemed to fit, and you know me - I love a good story.
***
I have a picture of the Four Seasons hotel in Bora Bora on my bulletin board in front of where I write. I also have a picture of the Ritz (confession - somewhere in Mexico, but no clue where). It has blue umbrellas on the patio and white linen, a two tier spot that overlooks the ocean. It reminds me of the story I wrote about with the Girl on the Right when I applied for the Cancun job a year and a bit ago.
If I could create my perfect dream job anywhere in the world, I would be a Quality Auditor or Brand Experience director for something to do with luxury travel. I could write at night and be by the ocean, more than not.
Maybe one day that dream will come true, but to get there requires me to make a shift back to hospitality again and specialize in these areas.
***
My new role focuses on auditing and training. This is the part I loved most in my last position that had started out in a consulting capacity - to survey the field, find opportunities and help raise the bar. I have the opportunity to work with someone I know, which always makes the journey more fun. The home office is based out of a city my former step-daughter goes to school, my two old roommates now both live in, and some wonderful former colleagues reside.
But the coolest part of the entire scope is where it starts.
***
November 17, 2018, I was on week 7 of the Artist's Way book and project I'd taken on. The chapter refers to being a child and what I missed or lacked. There are questions I had to answer - "As a kid, I missed the chance to...", "As a kid, I lacked ...", "As a kid, I dreamed of...". As I filled in the answers of my homework, one by one, I got to "I am sorry I will never again see -"
My answer was "I'm sorry I will never again see Sarnia."
I couldn't really think of one reason why I would ever go back and yet it was my childhood and such a special part of my life.
***
That's where it starts.
The job starts in Sarnia.
I mean, come onnnnnnn. Even I find this somewhat comical.
I couldn't even write this script myself.
Full circle.
I'm quoting lines from Flashdance and INXS and Whitesnake might not be far behind.
I can run Canatara Park, get fries by the Bluewater Bridge (okay, it might be a bit early for that), walk the school yard at Cathcart (does anyone have a child I can borrow? I will probably get arrested walking through there without a kid...) and drive down Thurston Drive to see my old home.
(hmmm.... which doesn't look like it's going to be in a Mini anytime soon according to the weather on the 402. The entire car situation may require some further thought.)
Regardless, I am so excited I cannot wipe the smile off my face.
I'm going home.
Some days, life is pretty freaking awesome, isn't it?
