Serendipity at work

When someone stops to talk with you about something that seems benign at first but then turns into something of substance, do you take note of that?



I'm referring to something that happened to me after a breakfast meeting this morning. After the meeting ended, I had planned to meeting with another member of this group, to chat with her about some possible work I might do for her. We were interrupted by another member who seemed anxious to talk. She wanted to ask about something she'd purchased. She wanted to know if it was a good purchase. She was second-guessing herself. It didn't seem like an important thing to interrupt a private conversation about, but it was important to her, so we agreed to take a look at her purchase.



She went out to her car and brought back a big department store bag, taking out another bag. Inside of that one was this huge, beautiful black bag. She'd purchased it at a significant bargain. It was shiny and huge and matched her outfit nicely. My colleague said it was definitely worth it. Even though I'm not much of a shopper, I agreed. If you can afford it, and it's something that you'll use, why not buy it? She seemed pleased.



Then the conversation quickly turned to a dance class she's been taking with another member of this group. She told us how it was changing her life in very spiritual ways, allowing her to give herself time that she needs to take care of herself. Her outlook on life, she told us, is much improved. Her story reminded me of the work I do with my BIKE. But I've not been able to take the time I need for myself lately. I've been so consumed with the work I'm doing on my book project. The deadline is getting closer and closer. As I listened, my mind turned to her testimonial. It affected me. I realized, right then, that I haven't been giving myself the time I need to take care of my body as I should. Her message came to me at just the right moment. I can write AND take care of myself, too. Otherwise, how can my work not suffer?!



That interruption turned out to include information that I actually needed, and, as it turned out, the other person as well. So it wasn't an interruption after all. Was it serendipity? I think so. This third party needed help but it turned out that she helped us as well--even though she didn't know she was doing that. Things happen for a reason, and they usually happen at the exact moment you need it to happen. But you have to be open to accept it into your life.



Have you ever experienced moments like these, where, what you think might be an interruption, instead, turns out to be exactly what you needed to know, to hear, to see, or to do...but weren't? For whatever reason.



Are you open to welcoming such interruptions, such serendipitous acts? If you stay tuned in to what your body needs, if you keep your eyes and ears open, if you acknowledge that others might have something worth sharing with you, you can be. You can teach yourself to pay attention, to tune in. Serendipity doesn't just happen; you have to be waiting for it, in a sense. You have to be willing and open to the opportunities.



Are you?

New opportunities--what are you waiting for?

A friend called me last week to see if I could hang out with her. We made plans to attend a lecture in Scottsdale. Something came up, and I couldn't go. She went anyway, enjoyed it, and called me a few days later to make new plans. We arranged to meet at a bookstore and walk over to this resort hotel and listen to the bagpipe player at sunset--it happens to be a nightly event at this Phoenix resort. Well, that plan fell through also, when a third party--her ride--opted out. She didn't want to do something new and unfamiliar. So my friend and I, we made yet another plan. Tonight, she'll go with me to hear a live band that I've been meaning to write about on my travel blog.

I haven't heard from her yet, so I assume the plan's still on.

Over the course of these past few days, and also since I started writing my travel blog, I've noticed something. There are a ton of things to do in Phoenix, and many of them cost little to nothing. My travel blog is giving me the opportunity to explore them and so much more. But you don't have to have a travel blog to explore your own surroundings.

That's a ton of ways to spend your free time, or your leisure time, or whatever you want to call it. But if you're like my friend's friend, I want to know why are you sitting at home? If fear is keeping you from exploring new things to do or see, can you try just once to push past that fear?

Maybe look into buying a membership at the Phoenix Art Museum. It costs less than $50 for the entire year. But if you can't afford that, they do offer a free day at the museum every week. It's a very safe and fun environment, and since there's a museum in every big city that I'm aware of, I'm sure you'll find one near you.

If you aren't sitting at home but know someone who is, could you make it your next goal to ask that person to go with you on an outing? It doesn't cost anything to go for a walk around the neighborhood with a friend. It costs very little to share a picnic lunch somewhere. And the opportunity to ride your bike, hike or work out together is immeasurable--especially if one of you needs that extra push.

The opportunities to find your Best self and to expand your Inner stength to do something out of the ordinary are out there. What are you waiting for?

All my best,
Jackie