MONEY HAVING IT OR NOT...IT'S ALL RELATIVE

Money....what is it anyway? Certainly in our society we have to have it to live, or do we? Recently a friend said to me, "I love the way that you barter to get the things you need and want." 

Bartering has become so second nature to the way that I move through life that I didn't even realize that it is different than how most people live.  I was telling my business coach that I'm always surprised when I travel to hear the concerns of the general population, "These economic hardship times!" I never really notice it. I've gone and done anything that I've wanted. Of course I don't have the regular securities that others may find necessary for their comfort level, like health insurance or retirement. 

I was reviewing my last blog and the statement "I need the money!" was such a ridiculous thing to say that when I reread it, I had to LAUGH OUT LOUD! Of course there is truth in it, but it seemed so desperate! 

Money is simply energy. It is a means of exchange that we use, the same as bartering, to get the things that we need and want. Listening to and experiencing first hand other people's lives and experiences of finances, I've come to the conclusion that it's all relative. The old saying, the more you make, the more you spend, is still alive and well.

I have been allowed the privilege of being able to supplement my income by working part time because I have had the most amazing house sitting jobs. While I treasure my time to work on my own personal projects and the freedom to follow the flow of energy,  sometimes, I do miss the structure of a regular job, the energy of other people and of course the regular pay check! 

I've been on several job interviews in the past week, just walking through open doors to see if anything sticks and trying to really trust that everything is in Divine Order. 

But today... I alternate between strategizing for my projects and wanting to snuggle back to in bed...it's cloudy and chilly.....and I what...am thinking to go to Alaska....are you kidding me? Well, at the very least, it would make for great blogging material!)

FOLLOWING THE FLOW AND LAUGHING OUT LOUD THE WHOLE TIME!

After five days in my new house sitting job, I finally learned how to turn on the radio! While working on my projects, I overheard the radio announcer say, "Come tomorrow to watch a video and have an interview for working in Alaska for six months. The money is good if you don't have any ties and can be gone for that long!" 

Well my ears really perked up! Alaska! I've never been there! The money is good....what...$50,000 for six months? That's good money! Not knowing where I'm heading next and where my next buck is coming from I'm open to checking out all options!

Today as I walked into a room full of young men and one young girl, I hadn't been aware of the fact that I was the only old lady there! I took a spot in the back of the room, anxious to hear about this great money opportunity and adventure all combined into one! 

The facilitator was very clear about the fact that this was not a glamorous opportunity or even a chance to see and experience Alaska, it was a hard job in a seafood processing plant with long hours. 

"You will be working mostly 12 hr shifts, either the night or day shift and you can work all the way up to 16 hr days. There is no guarantee of hours. If the boats catch a big load, you work until it is processed. There may also be days when there is no work at all and then you don't get paid." "The work is hard, it's lifting, it's cold, damp, noisy and smelly." she continued. The only good news, while the contract is for six months, the January shift is usually finished in three! 

The whole time, I'm scanning the paper they handed out that told about the operation and noticed the pay...the great money maker.....pay is $7.75 an hour! I could barely contain myself! Oh, yeah, over 8 hours you get time and a half, $11.24. I spent my time trying to figure out how much I'd make for the time I'm away. I guess the benefit is that you can't spend any money while you're there, being 812 miles from Anchorage. When you're on the island, you're on the island! If you leave early, you have to get you own ride back to Seattle. 

I raised my hand and asked the only question, "Is it dark all the time?" Nobody else seemed to care.

While my daughters and I have had a great laugh over the whole idea, the really funny part is that I haven't closed the door. I haven't been to Alaska and I haven't worked in a fish factory. (Not sure I'm missing much with the latter!) And...I need the money! 

Like the other jobs that I've been interviewing for, the diverse jobs in completely different areas of the west, I'm just going to wait and see what ...if any jobs are offered to me, then I can make a decision.

In the meantime, I'll follow the flow until it stops, laughing at the silliness of life! While this is something that I would do once for the experience (and money, lol), there are people who will be doing this kind of work for their whole life! I'm really lucky! 

Today reminded me of a line in Mamma Mia, a movie that I travel with and watched the other evening..."It's an adventure Harry!" 

I'M BACK!

As you know from my last blog, I was getting ready to leave the place that I have called home for the past two years. 

I knew that it was time to leave before I received notice to move. In fact, I had told a friend that I had been watching myself clean out things and was thinking a shift was coming, it was like having an Outer Body experience! Even though I had been feeling stagnate, I didn't have the courage to initiate the change for myself and so the Universe stepped in. 

After a series of three speaking engagements for the Catholic Church in Los Angeles, talking about GPS for Living and the importance of Self-Care in our lives, I left on a vision quest trip with my Irish friend to Hawaii.

When I returned, my friends helped me sell, clean and pack for the next leg of my journey. It's amazing how much crap on can accumulate in a two year period. I moved into the space with the contents of a 22" suitcase and backpack and left with a car full to the brim. As my friend put it, "You couldn't put a peanut in that car!" My three foot tall solid wooden Happy Buddha, reminding me to Find the Joy, rode proudly seat belted in the backseat. 

Heading to Northern California for a month long house sitting gig, I had a lot of time to reflect while making the 15 hour drive. Still following the Flow of Energy, and trusting that everything is in Divine Order, the not knowing where the doors are going to open up for me after the end of November,  can get me into a panty-twist if I don't stay present and in the moment. Where will I go? How will I make money? Blah, Blah, Blah!

I have been here now for 4 days and I had to give myself permission to rest. My mind starts its little being in charge of my body and I have to step in and set some boundaries. So trying to find balance, I let myself sleep, some work and then took a drive to the Yuba River with my God daughter. I hope this finds you all well.