Life is what happens to you when you are busy making other plans. Synchronicity is what happens when you are paying attention.
Synchronicities are a huge part of my life experience and, I believe, a significant part of what it means to live an “Upside” perspective. By “synchronicity”, I’m referring what can happen when we practice the art of being open, alert, and curious within ourselves and towards our surroundings (in synch) so that we can observe and attract the people and opportunities into our lives that we might otherwise have ignored or missed.
I further believe that these unpredictable events are the result of unexplainable forces which can impact and influence the course of our lives in positive and meaningful ways. For me, it’s about paying attention while staying open to and curious about the signs and signals around me. I have been rewarded abundantly in my life with this approach.
Previously I shared the story of how, through a series synchronistic events, I met Nelson Mandela in 1990 on the day after his release from prison. In my reflections over the years on the events of that amazing day, I am struck by how easily I could have missed it all.
These were some of the things that occurred behind the scenes:
- I had initially planned on leaving Africa the day prior. My flight was canceled at the last minute and I had been given a re-routing option, but my inner voice told me not to travel that day and instead stay another day.
- I called and even though the hotel was fully booked, I somehow managed to extend my stay. I had no idea that this was the same hotel that Mandela would be visiting.
- I got back to my room exhausted from the airport ordeal and the toll of the heavy work schedule I had experienced in the preceding several weeks. I was so tired that I could have quite easily slept the rest of the night away. Instead, my instincts told me to go out, get some air, and do some exploring.
- My curiosity was rewarded by arriving at the reception line forming to view Mandela walk the red carpet laid out in front of our hotel lobby. If I hadn’t heeded my sense of curiosity, I would have missed the next wonderful opportunity as well: running into my long lost friends who were now working with Mandela. They arranged to sneak me into the state dinner that evening and, later, meet him in person.
Experience has taught me time and again that, as John Lennon so eloquently put it, “Life is what happens to you when you are busy making other plans.” What’s often difficult to grasp, particularly during challenging times, is that there are always solutions and sources of unseen help ready to assist if/when we are receptive to them.
Questions for reflection:
- Have synchronicities been rare or common events in your life?
- What are some examples of synchronicity in your life that had important meaning for you?
Steve Goldberg is the co-author of Finding the Upside: Practical Wisdom for Challenging Times. You can read more about and purchase the book at: www.findingtheupside.org
Photo Credit
“Transition” h.koppdelaney @ Flickr.com. Creative Commons. Some Rights Reserved.
Marie says
Hey
I want to tell someone about two humans who are “2 sides of the same coin”. Two people who have synchronicitic behaviours. We say, think and do the same things at precisely the same time. We make choices that are the same. We have a connection we call “Snap” moments. We are 1 male and 1 female who were born 3 days apart in DOB and 3 years apart in age. We were born in the same home town but didn’t actually meet until we were 51 and 54. He is a lil skeptical but has even described our “snap” moments as spooky. I would like to understand more about why this happens.
If you want to know more about our other common connections please email me. It is an interesting story really.
Mark says
They happen all the time to me, sometimes even in my dreams.
World Citizen says
Hi,
I started to pay attention a few years ago, I was then able to recall synchronicity events going as far back as my adolescence.
Now I can acknowledge the synchronicty events occuring in my life.
Funnily enough, it provides a relief from anxiety. One must realize that good things occurs in due time, when the intentions are good. In short, we don’t need to worry at all.
As someone mentioned, anxiety is like paying interest on money you haven’t borrowed yet.
I’m saving now.
Pierre