Integrity

It's a funny thing, integrity. Everyone has their own version. Actually that's not really 'wrong'. Like all things 'judgemental' there are different perspectives.

In the last couple of years I've had two major events that tested my integrity. The first was when my daughter and I moved from the house we were taking care of. I dragged us back and forth in the last number of days to make sure that the house was clean and tidy and that holes in the walls were repaired. My poor daughter got so fed up with me one night saying, "You and your *#!! integrity!" We hadn't even been talking about it at that moment. She and I were both exhausted from the moving. I was in considerable pain and she was concerned for me, which I appreciated. But I was determined to leave the house in excellent shape even if the relationship with the friends of the home was in shambles. The relationship was not something that I had any control over. They had made a decision to end the friendship. But the house I could leave in excellent shape, even with the list of jobs not completed.

This past week has been the second test of my integrity. As you know I am finished up my job at the funeral chapel on this Friday. I have been determined to leave on a positive and amicable note. So far it is going well. But it would be so easy to just rest on my laurels and coast through until the last day. It would be even easier to just walk!

Besides my integrity I am being this way for professional reasons as well. I want to keep a good relationship for the Celebrant work I do. And not burning my bridge can have indeterminable future impact too.

I remember I had this same attitude when I left a job a few years ago. I gave a month notice there because of my position. I spent the next weeks making sure that the transition would be easier. On the last week the Executive Director walked into my office and told me that he no longer trusted me and told me to get the #$$$@ out! I was shocked and yet not. He was not a man of integrity and that was the reason I was leaving.

It is often seen that when integrity shines a light onto the lack thereof the darkness has two choices: clean up or clear out (or in this case tell me to clear out); and I did. I said thank you for paying me for the final few days even though I wouldn't be working. He knew I would go to Labour Relations, so he relented. But he continued his madness into the next job by writing a scathing letter accusing me of all sorts. Fortunately the new employer saw through it because of the former's reputation and because he knew that if I was guilty for even a fraction of the accusations he would have fired my ass out of there long ago. Besides the new employer had actually poached me and knew me well.

Integrity! What does it mean to you? For me it's more than honest. It means my word is everything. And part of that word is the way I conduct myself both in business and privately. I have worked hard to make that so. I have sacrificed a lot to make that so. I'm not about to stop now!

I am counting down the hours, of course. I'm also a bit anticipatory about the next job. But that's normal: Feel the fear and do it anyway!

What does integrity look like to you? What does YOUR integrity look like?

Gratitude

You know, the Universe/God/Goddess, has a way of showing up just at the perfect moment. As you know I’ve been on the job hunt for several months (18+). Well, yesterday the Universe rewarded my patience and persistence with a new position (alliteration anybody). I will be working for The Chemainus Theatre Festival. I am going in as the Development Coordinator and Volunteer Coordinator. I am so grateful. It has come, as I was promised, and kept repeating, at the perfect moment; not too soon, nor too late. This position is the one that I eluded to in my post Victoria Day.

I am grateful for this kind of position as compared to some of the others I’d applied for because I think it will major on my talents and abilities. It is work that I’ve done before in other not-for-profits and charities. It also offers me a world of creativity which my soul needs to keep going.

When I chose to go it alone four years ago, I knew that my creativity, whether it was writing or otherwise, was totally stifled – other than my gardening. It then became my regular routine to journal every day. Now, I’m actually going to be trying my hand at sketching. As for my workplace, well who knows. The world is wide open in such a creative and artistic environment.

As for my Celebrant work, it continues. I will continue to offer my services for ceremonies and celebration across the life-cycle. My marriage license is in process. In order to get that moving I actually had to be re-ordained. This time instead of Captain (The Salvation Army) it is Reverend. But don’t bother calling me that because I never liked the titles in the church and still don’t see the real necessity of them. I am just one of the guys. My job is different to others in the group, but not better. So let’s forget about all the pomp and ceremony. I am working on my website and will have that up within the next month I figure. I, in fact, was introduced to a fellow today who is looking for someone to marry him and his good lady. So once again, not a moment too soon, nor too late; just perfect!

As for the future I can see myself moving into retirement and continuing to really enjoy Celebrant work as a vocation. But that’s almost 20 years away. I also hope that it will happen in Hawaii. But who knows really. It is a dream. But as with all my dreams now, they are subject to my Sacred Contracts with others in my life and the Universe in general. I may be able to look through the peep hole in the door. But there’s so much more beyond that small scope.

So here we go….



Oh yeah, if you’re interested in going to a show at the theatre. The current show is The Mouse Trap.


Gratitude

Victoria Day

As I sit on my deck today I am sure I must be toasting by now. The day is absolutely glorious with all the wonderful sounds of summer; birds chirping and tweeting their songs to one another and us, neighbours talking to each other for the first time in a list of wonderful summer days which bring us out of our nests, Gracie wondering around the deck sniffing and panting as she alternatively seeks out a comfortable spot (typical little Princess) which is also out of the sun. She loves the sun but in this heat often only  lasts a few minutes before her rich red/brown coat is just a bit too warm. It's fun to watch her because she may seem to be resting, she is ever vigilant of all the changes going on in her little world; a favoured fellow building dweller or another dog racing up and down the parking lot as his elderly, yet spry, master throws his ball back and forth getting him to fetch and bring it back for a treat. I sense that she is training the pup to be like Gracie who I trust off leash while she is on the property. Since we live on the third floor it not only provides her a bird's eye view, it keeps her in her glass tower when she would rather be down below greeting fellow quadrupeds or interesting humans.

The heat is starting to get to me so I'll be heading in soon. But the purpose of this entry has yet to be disclosed. It is to celebrate an "excellent (job) interview" according to my interviewer this past Wednesday. He has followed up the interview with contacting my references. I have been down the road of getting excited or attached to a particular application a number of times this past year or so. So even though I keep reminding myself of this I also, due to some child Archetypal energy am like a kid on Christmas morning.

This job will provide me with a number of wonderful opportunities that I can see in my limited pre-start view: Interaction and supervision of volunteers, development plans for donors, giving and events, artistic opportunities galore, administrative duties, human interaction (something I've lacked in terms of being part of a team in my present rather lonely and stranded position). It also looks as though it's something to grow into, have grow on me, and perhaps grow out of and have other opportunities to compliment and extend and challenge that growth. It is only 13-15 minutes drive from the apartment in a little town called Chemainus. It is considered an artistic centre on Vancouver Island; although that artistic grandeur has greatly depreciated in recent years due to economic setbacks in our tourism.

Chemainus was once a booming mill town. A number of years ago now, the mills all but ceased to operate tossing the town into a sad state of mass unemployment and depression. Some very wise people banded together to bring the tow back to life through tourism. They contracted the services of artists who painted wonderful, larger than life murals all over town depicting the culture and history of the area. As part of that reconstruction of what a little town could be, it is also now the home of the Chemainus Theatre Festival.

I already feel wonderfully privileged to be part of such a town, even if only through employment. I hope that in my new position (I'm already speaking as though it's mine, I know) I will not only be able to impact the place of employment, but also the place of employment on the grander scale, the town itself.

I have maintained over the last several months that the perfect fitting position would come along at only the perfect and most beneficial moment in time. I truly am hoping and feeling that this may well be that position.

In terms of the future I feel it will give me the outlet I need for my creative talents. I also can sense how it will compliment my newly acquired certification as a Life-Cycle Celebrant (website still under construction) and a healing ministry that I have felt called to for a very long time. We shall see...

Choose Wisely

A bit late. Mother’s Day has passed once again. Many of us owe our lives, who we are to someone special be it a mentor, father or mother. Although she wasn’t perfect she had a HUGE impact on who I am today. Miss you Mum (1921-1995).

Link: Tribute To Mother

Choose Wisely

Small Miracles

As I was driving to work this morning I decided to cut off the Parkway at the bottom end of Nanaimo and drive through town, even though I was running late. Usually I feel a bit more confident that I will arrive a bit earlier using the Parkway. As it turns out I was still five minutes early anyhow.

But arriving safe and sound and on time for work isn’t what this entry is about. It’s about listening to your gut (or intuition, lead, inner voice, higher self, guide, angel, whatever you’re comfortable using) and being in the moment; not the future.

Lately, as you know from my previous POSTING I haven’t been present to the moment as much as would like. I’ve been dwelling on something that hasn’t happened yet, its possible fall out, massive or tiny changes to my life and routine, both good and challenging. But this morning I followed that inner voice.

Even though I haven’t been feeling like I’m very present, I have been practicing to learn to listen to the inner voice; and even asking for direction. I’ve been doing this in a lot of ways. But today it was just about getting to work the ‘best’ way.

As I stopped at the first set of traffic lights coming into town I looked out my driver’s side window and stared at the cement and asphalt median. It is about 10 feet across at that point. I was looking at the starkness of it – but not totally present to it because I was living in the future and worrying about not getting to the office on time. Of course, my worry was a total waste of energy.

My eye caught a glimpse of a little spot of grass pushing up the asphalt. It was no more than an inch in width. But it was a few inches tall. All of a sudden I was reminded about my life and how I keep wanting that miracle to occur that will shift me forward; yet anxious about it too. I was aware that in this mass of barrenness a few blades of grass had pushed through against all odds. After all how can a few blades of grass pop up and conquer that heavy baron existence? I guess it was a miracle of sorts when I really gave it some thought.

Now realize that this all occurred in just a matter of seconds! As I look at what seems to be the flat, stark existence I seem to see for kilometres around me (basically my place in life right now) there can be miracles. Just STOP and look. They’re there. I know they are. From the glory of spring coming to life around us to how truly blessed I am. Yup I’m weary of the way things seem these days. But I have a roof over my head (including the elephants I swear live in the apartment above). I have food in my tummy. I have friends. I have what I have. I have my life.

As I typed away I was reminded that when things seem to be at their starkest look for the blades of grass pushing up through the baroness around you. It may not be the particular thing I’m waiting for. But it is there. Today stop and look for the miracles; no matter how small.


Small Miracles