Bliss

Following one's bliss can be a tricky endeavour. Here I am in the Okanagan, with a few short trips to neighbouring towns (from my home base) under my belt. My small cash supply is dwindling and so is the extent of my upcoming travel possibilities. A few nice dinners, yoga classes and flippy, flirty dresses have eaten up much of my savings: panic is setting in. As it turns out, planning is not an unecessary evil, but a vital component of any bliss follower's tool box. I wish I had known this a few months back, but rather than admitting defeat, I will simply pull back a little, re-chart my course and push on.

This month is taken up with educational and familial obligations; I will take this time to examine my loose travel plans, tighten them up (getting a passport, for instance) and figure out how to have some serious cash on reserve. My current state of unemployment, matched with my penchant for fine things is drastically reducing my freedom. I must make changes and rein in my wallet or my trip will be a bust. Starting October, I will be on a new path to bliss.

I first considered the reality of taking a job much in the way one considers taking a lover: Do I need this in my life? Will it enhance or complicate my plans? Can I avoid attachment? Can I still burst free or will I succumb to the wishes and desires that another person has for me? Can I maintain my own thoughts, feelings and moral integrity? Yes, I realize that employment may not have all of the potential trappings of lover-taking, however, with loyalties as solid as mine, I must proceed with caution in undertakings of any kind.

I find the notion of plucking plump, ripe vineyard grapes to be romantically and financially lucrative; however, I hear the romance is short and not very sweet, leaving the romantic with a twisted back and dashed dreams. I don't believe the vineyard has employment opportunities for barefoot grape-squishing, either. I could pick up the serving tray again and flog pints or glasses of wine while batting my eyelashes and baring my cleavage for tips, or I could just cut to the chase and sell my body (how cliche). I will explore my options with haste and logic. The fact of the matter is, I do think a short stint of employment could fill up my coffers and help me to use my time wisely until I am ready to fly...

I have come far enough I think, in self-awareness to maintain my integrity and follow through with a plan, no matter how directive any employer may attempt to be. Walking into short-term employment with a solid plan is the key to remaining detached. It's true that I am not a plan-fan, but if having one means staying my course and remaining true to myself, then sign me up!

Who is Leela Roe? Read her previous articles and find out: