On Meaningful Work, Reality Gaps and Divine Timing...

a product of therapeutic camera play, a perfect antidote to gap-induced grumpiness

When it comes to my journey to meaningful and viable work, I am not where I want to be.

Let me clarify: I'm extremely excited and proud of the products and services I offer and the ones I have in the development queue as I type (seriously, LOVE them!). From a fulfillment perspective, I consider my ongoing journey to meaningful work a success.

In conjunction, my desire for meaningful work includes its ability to support me financially. I seek a certain level of comfort and lifestyle, and, in order to consider my journey to meaningful work an overall success, it needs to support that too.

My leave from my former 9-5 gig ends soon, and I must consider my options. I have bills to pay. This is my reality.

Thanks to the generosity of my former manager in offering me a one-year leave last year, I have a fairly obvious option available to me. Returning to my 9-5 job, even if for a few days a week, would ease my financial conundrum considerably. I am grateful.

I am also disappointed. The reality gap of wanting to be financially viable (or at least somewhere close) in my new work, but not being there yet, hurts. Yet, perhaps my expectations were not very realistic to begin with.

I am extremely proud of how far I've come this past year, and of the foundation I am laying every day in my journey to meaningful and financially rewarding work. Never before have I been so eager to get to work each morning. I feel blessed.

This fuels me to go on.

Despite my current reality gap, I still firmly believe that it is possible to do what you love and make a good living out of it; I have no plans of giving up on that. What I'm learning though, is that it may not be on my schedule.

In the meantime, may the journey continue...

Photo Pause: Prince Edward Island, Day 1

While we were visiting Mom & Dad on the east coast, D. and I took a few days for an overnighter to Prince Edward Island (PEI). We only explored one little corner of the Island, but already its soft and surprisingly varied landscape wooed us both, inviting us to explore it further.

Here are a few favourite photos from Day 1:

Confederation Bridge between New Brunswick and PEI,

seen from New Brunswick's Cape Jourimain Nature Centre.

(Note to self: next time allow more time to explore this wonderful centre and its hiking trails!)

We enjoyed lunch at the Landmark Cafe, in the beautiful (and tiny!) village of Victoria by the Sea. While we were there someone brought in the morning catch, fresh off the boat down the road, for the night's special. It doesn't get more local than that.

Canada's Smallest Library in Cardigan, PEI

Who knew? And could that view be any more cozy?

We discovered this gem of a beach by accident. It captured so many of the colours typical to PEI's landscape! A bonus? There were only three people on it, plus us.

 Still at the same little beach. I loved how the dune grasses created a rolling landscape,

and how the sun lit them against the dark skies ahead.

We spent about an hour there with our cameras.

 The view from our deck that evening. We ate Rick's Fish & Chips and drank

local Gahan beer (both delicious!) while we watched the sun set.

We stayed at the Inn at St. Peters in St. Peter's Bay.

The main restaurant at the Inn at St. Peter's, against the twilight sky.

That night we sat on our deck and watched shooting stars. Magical.

Day 2 delights to come later...