Something cosmic happening?

Ah, how I love blogging... But then again, why wouldn't I? It's writing about what I love - the only boring subjects are of my choosing! It has also opened up a whole new world to me. I've made new friends across the globe; I've hooked up with other like-minded souls - writers and artists just like me. I've opened myself up to a new creative world I neither knew existed 'out there' or 'in here' [she taps heart dramatically, but gently]. I'm reading the kinds of books I always shied away from* and consequently learning things about myself - both who I am and where I want to be.

*(self-help, rather than gruesome horror - I still shy away from those).

Now we move onto an exciting revelation. If you stop by here regularly to while away ten minutes or so with a cup of tea or a glass of wine, you cannot have helped noticing that I am a teensy weensy bit dis-satisfied in my current role. Last week I endured the disappointment of losing out on another job for which I felt more suited. But then when you don't get it, you start thinking - was it the job I really wanted or the means to leave this current torture? I'm not entirely sure. If it was the latter, then I did a jolly good job of convincing myself of the former - though clearly not the interviewers! Maybe I don't want to do 'internal communications' anymore. Perhaps it's not the job that gets me down so much as the vocation? I feel tired of the corporate life. It just doesn't feel like me anymore.

On a seemingly un-related matter, I received in the post a postcard from royalty - None other than the Queen of Creativity herself. She had sent me this as part of an exercise she was working on while working through The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. I resolved to post one right back and thought about what I would send.

Well, the town where I live lacks architectural delights I'm afraid. The river that runs through could be so charming were it not for the shopping trolleys and empty beer cans and the inhabitants are not pretty. The town where I work however, is something else (see attractive looking building in image supplied, yes for those in the New World, this is a bona fide Medieval Castle, complete with dungeons, suits of armour and a gift shoppe - if you look closely you might just spot Rapunzel letting her hair down one of the towers).

As the choice of postcard neatly presented itself to me, so did another far more exciting possibility. You see, I've always loved castles, stately homes, palaces, ruins, manor houses... those old buildings steeped in history and priceless works of art. If I visit anywhere remotely grand I still can't resist sweeping down staircases swishing my imaginary skirts or imagining bold knights fighting for my hand. I'll hover by a window overlooking immaculate acres and wonder who stood before and who they observed from behind the tapestry drapes. Yes, an over-active imagination is mine and I am proud of it.

So, the revelation? Could I perhaps work somewhere like Warwick Castle? Althorp House? Sulgrave Manor? Could I be a custodian of the National Trust? Take tourists on magical journeys around haunted mansions, bringing the past back to life before their very eyes? Oh yes, I could do that... I would love that - it would suit my extrovert personality. I'd even happily dress up in costume to do it (in fact, I would probably pay them for the chance to dress up in costume...particularly anything with a swishing skirt). Last night my mind began to race with new possibility. Could this be what I'm looking for or a simple distraction? I tapped into some of the (little practiced) skills I've been learning on the The Joy Diet (see numerous posts) - I looked for my truth and desire. Is this what I want? Imagine the story ideas I'd get working in a castle... Think of the creative inspiration being surrounded by art all day... Imagine the mischief winding up tourists about ghosts and secret passages....

Kate - you sent me a postcard of some mountains and a lake as part of the Artists' Way and look what has happened... Something cosmic happening in the universe perhaps? Is this going to see me stretching my wings, or just a flight of fancy? Well, let's turn the page of the next chapter and wait and see...

Err, and Kate, it looks like I just spoilt the postcard surprise. Never mind, I'll send you another!