PAUSE -8.25- Community of Coincidence
REFLECTION: In recent years, I’ve developed a morning routine that often includes a walk along the river, a meditative ‘sit’ on my riverbank rock, and a series of yoga stretches (in the backyard garden when weather permits).
What I’ve noticed in the last few weeks, is that every routine brings with it a community of coincidence. For instance, my walk includes ‘stocky sunglass guy’ – the one with the stiff neck and rolling gait who always nods ‘good morning’. Then there are are the two women walkers – one a nonstop talker, the other a bemused listener – who power their way past me each morning with a brief nod in my direction. There’s the work crew that has been laboring away for a month now on a huge house along the river – replacing siding with stucco.
There’s the elderly gentleman, in the house on the last block heading home, with whom I sometimes trade smiles as he reads his newspaper by the light through his living room window. Then there’s the jet that flies high overhead at roughly the same time each morning. I’m imagining it’s on its way from Ottawa to Edmonton with no intention of dropping down into Saskatoon. Still, I can picture the crew in the cockpit, sipping their third coffee of the morning, checking their instruments, and enjoying the fly-over view of the Saskatchewan river valley.
There’s an odd comfort provided by a community of coincidence. It offers points of connection that leave you feeling plugged into the world around you – noting presence and progress. What’s just as cool, is that when I reverse the equation, I expect that I’m a part of their community, too. “Heh, there’s that crazy lady sitting on her rock, again!”
I recall similar experiences of routine and relationships from my University days. Each semester’s schedule of classes spawned a new RR (regular route) through campus buildings and hallways. And as the days went by, a new community of coincidence evolved. In fact, some faces grew so familiar, that passing acquaintance evolved into friendship connections, as we progressed from noticing, to nodding, to smiling, to saying hello, to thinking we must know each other from somewhere, and sharing a cup of coffee in the cafeteria.
I’m guessing that you are part of more than a few informal communities of coincidence in your life, too.
ACTION: Relationships are such an important part of a balanced life. Healthy networks are critical to our ability to handle stress and pressure.
Some of you may be quite content with the number and quality of relationships in your life. However, if you happen to be feeling somewhat disconnected from the world – and stressed out by a lack of relationship – try tuning in to your communities of coincidence. There may just be someone else out there who is ready to expand their circle of acquaintance, too.
QUOTES OF THE WEEK: A goofy take on Community of Coincidence: “Two babies were born on the same day at the same hospital. They lay there and looked at each other. Their families came and took them away. Eighty years later, by a bizarre coincidence, they lay in the same hospital, on their deathbeds, next to each other. One of them looked at the other and said, ‘So, what did you think?” – Steven Wright
“Coincidence is the word we use when we can’t see the levers and pulleys.” – Emma Bull
“When you live your life with an appreciation of coincidences and their meanings, you connect with the underlying field of infinite possibilities.” – Deepak Chopra
RESOURCE OF THE WEEK: For a lighthearted article on coincidental learning, see: https://www.patkatz.com/articles/a-in_the_swim.shtml