Present in the Moment

I seem to be living in a perpetual state of optimism lately. Maybe it's this incredible Autumn I've been going on about. Fabulous weather and I'm unemployed so I can fully enjoy daily walks in the parks and gardens around the city. It doesn't get any better. Unless money grew on these trees I'm walking past. That would make it better I suppose. I seem to be completely forgetting that I am, in fact, unemployed. Or "underemployed" rather. I am picking up various temp jobs here and there and doing quite a bit of pet sitting. Those things are keeping my rent paid at least. But I actually need to come up with a more lucrative plan for my life. Every day I'm researching ideas, working at something or another, and enjoying the moment so much, I can't even really stress about the economy or my own depleting bank account. Somehow I think it'll all work out. How? I don't know. It's a mystery. But I'm sure it will.

Last week I filled in for the receptionist at my sister-in-law's office which was actually quite pleasant. After a couple of days, the staff was joking about hiring me permanently. If only being a receptionist at a law office was my life's ambition, my life would be so much simpler. I appreciated the opportunity, regardless, and will work for them again any time they ask.

Two weeks ago a friend invited me to "Women's Day" at her church. Hmmm...that sounded appealing. A day of women gathering, singing some jazzy uplifting songs and listening to some spiritual sermons about women's issues in today's world, and go out to brunch afterwards. Yeah, why not? I attended and it was all I had expected and more. I left inspired and energized.

Being raised Catholic, I can't say I ever left mass feeling "inspired." Once an adult I basically ceased practicing Catholicism altogether. I'd drop in occasionally over the years and leave resigned that church just wasn't for me, although I always felt I was a spiritual person. I'd visited other types of churches over the years to check them out, but none ever resonated with me. So I just continued to practice my own spirituality in the privacy of my home in my own way. Okay, I realize that makes me sound like I'm practicing witchcraft or voodoo.

Last week I attended my friend's church again. I wanted to experience a 'regular' church day. Was the special Women's Day from the prior week just a one off experience, or was this status quo? Was regular church a drag? Full of pushy religious folks cramming their guilt ridden sinner talk down your throat? No, actually it was not. Again, there were the jazzy uplifting songs lead by some pretty talented and passionate vocalists (if nothing else, the entertainment was exceptional), a timely sermon regarding current events, politics and global issues delivered with a sense of humor, followed up with brunch. At brunch we women continued to discuss the issues brought up during the service and give our input and thoughts continuing the dialog. Again, I returned home feeling enlightened, as well as experiencing a feeling of synchronicity in my life. This I will touch on in future posts. But I sense some things are beginning to pull together for me. Slowly slowly.

I don't even care about "Final Quarter" anymore. I went out with a friend last Friday to listen to a band at Conner Byrnes in Ballard. It was only minutes before we were surrounded by a group of men. While we had a nice time chatting and flirting with them, at 1.50 a.m. I ran to catch the last bus home and my friend also went home alone. The next day she phoned me and we talked about how we really could have gone home with any one of those guys if we had wanted. They were clearly interested, but as it turned out, it wasn't what either of us was after- "final quarter" or not. For us, just having an engaging conversation with some interesting men was enough.

Whatever the cause of my current optimism, I'm going along with it. Between my Landmark Education Seminar, some books I'm reading, these glorious Autumn days, daily exercise and, yes, possibly church, I'm feeling pretty content...for the moment.