Convergence
Little moments have been happening in my life lately, moments where one thought meets another: a topic of conversation shifts, a serendipitous moment with a stranger, an overlap of information, a convergence of ideas.
On Saturday, I strolled to the public library to get some books to read for the week. None of my requested titles had appeared yet, so I grabbed a book from the young adult fiction section, one that looked interesting enough to get me through at least two 5am workouts. I passed through the stacks on my way to check out and a book caught my attention. I paused, read the back cover, and decided that while the author was one I knew and liked, I wasn’t much interested in that book. As I was returning it to its home on the shelf, a new book caught my attention, small with browns and greens on the cover. Without even reading what it might be about, I put it in my arms and home with me it came.
I do things like this from time to time (especially since learning that just because I start a book, it doesn’t mean I have to finish a book, especially when it’s one I don’t like). But this little book, I discovered this morning, had answers in it I was looking for, discussions of topics that I recently first heard about and thought I should look into further. It was so strange.
My life lately feels like this giant melting pot of ideas. It’s like the world is trying to get my attention and show me very specific things. And now that I’ve noticed it in my life, I see it in other people’s too. On Friday, a friend told me a story about her experience with someone who did energy work. She was curious and wanted to try it again. The following day, she stumbled on a small yoga studio that had a free class. Afterward, she spoke with one of the teachers and had a short session where they spoke about energy work. She too thought it was interesting that the opportunity arrived on the heels of her telling the story.
Has this happened to you before, where ideas or desires seem to meet reality in some way? I want to hear your story (and I’m sure everyone else wants to read them too).
{image titled “An upward displacement” by Rune Guneriussen, 2010}
Absolutely – I’ve been overwhelmed by this feeling for the last month!
Do you call it serendipity? The Force? God?
Whatever it is, it’s taken me down some interesting paths lately. Sometimes it feels like the universe is screaming at me. The key is to make enough space in your life to hear the message.
I think you can call it whatever you’re comfortable with.
There are definitely times that I get a sense that something bigger is at work.
Oh I super love this: The Key is to make enough space in your life to hear the message.
Words of wisdom that I needed today!
I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. All around are beautiful moments of a greater plan. I love that you’re finding answers.
Your life is charmed, and I love that you can see that.
I love it when this happens. The key is, like Stephanie said in a previous comment, quieting down enough to hear the message. I feel like there is something out there calling to me right now but I haven’t made the space to listen. Your blog post is my serendipitous message reminding me to do just that.
xo-k
PS Miss you! I need to make a bit more time to read my favorite blogs, I think. :)
I miss you too, Katie! I’m glad this post could be that little reminder for you.
I have experienced this in the past, where I’ve been thinking a lot about something then all of a sudden it’s appearing in my daily life. But lately, it hasn’t happened. I’ve been struggling a lot with finding my path and figuring out what my life calling is. I feel like someone is trying to tell me something but I haven’t stopped to listen yet. Maybe I need to…
You’ve also just moved. Maybe the universe is giving you a little time to settle in to your new city first. Or it could just be that you have so much going on that it’s hard to hear what it’s telling you. I’ve also discovered that knowing the question you’re living really changes your perceptions and allows you to see things you might have otherwise missed.
i love how you were able to convey in a blog post this feeling of wanting something and mysteriously finding a way to make it happen. i keep reading books about being a writer and wishing i could find the answers to what i am meant to do/be in a book. i recently bought writing down the bones by natalie goldberg and it felt like it was written just for me. love it!
xo
sami
Sami, I’ve been trying to figure out for the last 15 years what I’m supposed to do — sometimes you need to immerse yourself in the question and just accept that the path isn’t always quick or easy. If you want to be a writer, writer. I knew I should be a writer when I realized that when I’m writing, it feels like I’m on fire. Have I gotten there entirely yet? No. But I know it’s coming.
I loved this post. I relate it to when you talk about something to someone, like a song you heard or an idea you’ve had recently and then it manifests itself in day-to-day life like through another conversation.
I remember one time I gradually found out lots of tibets of information about sex changes in the course of a week through other people, uni studies and channel flicking.
Maybe it can sometimes be attributed to that ‘white car’ thing. You drive a white car so you see them more. It’s like you’ve become tuned to that idea/topic and so you are hyper-aware of it.
I definitely think tuning helps, Hope. It’s only once your tuned into an idea that opportunities and information present itself.
Oh, I love those moments so, so much, when things somehow come together for just what you need. They’re a wonderfully rare treat.
They really are!
It’s serendipity! Such a delicious word and my favourite type of accident. What book was it that you picked up from the library?
Serendipity is one of my favorite words! I actually debated titling my post that, but I feel like my life has been more than merely serendipitous of late.
And the book is titled The Noticer. A quick read and I do recommend it.
Thanks Brandi – I’ll check it out!
Oh, I love those moments when you are so totally in flow with life. Last week was a bit like that for me. I think Serendipity is one of my absolute favourite words.
I second Rooth’s question above, I’m curious about the book. Is there anything better than that feeling of stumbling upon a magical little bound treasure of wisdom and joy?
What a fantastic story about happening upon the just-right book for you. :)
Hmm, I would have to say the biggest example of serendipity in my life was when I called the aikido dojo down the street to inquire about their meditation class. Somewhere between my picking up the phone and someone answering, I had decided to try aikido instead. I don’t think it was even a really conscious decision, but somehow I ended up asking about the aikido class. People always look at me a little weirdly when I tell this story … but I’ve been studying aikido for more than 10 years now and it’s something I love, so it all worked out. :)
That happens to me a lot! I always try to pay attention when it does. I see it as God trying to tell me something. :)