Synchronicity

Though your first thought might be my blog title is a reference to The Police's 1983 album entitled "Synchronicity," it's not. Stay with me though, I am going somewhere with this. One way I enjoy winding down is perusing the book store and chilling in a big over-stuffed chair with a book or magazine-du-jour.

Tonight after a long and wonderfully productive week, I wound down the early part of my Friday evening at a the local book store. I know what you're thinking. Rock star. She really knows how to live it up but it was what I needed today to transition down. And I had an intention and was on a mission when I decided to go the book store this evening. You see, I just booked my flight for a trip I've been planning for over a year. A safari in Africa this Fall. Going to Africa on Safari is one of the trips on my "life list" and I had been toying with the thought of adding a Mt. Kilimanjaro climb, Africa's highest peak. I'll already be in Africa. I like adventure. I like being in locations that are off the beaten path and experiences that are bigger than I am. It was an easy decision. I added Kilimanjaro to my trip. Doing so, I wanted to prepare beyond what I had already researched online so I went to devour the travel section at the book store.

As I settled in the narrow isle, perched on the tiny wooden step-up bench perfectly level with the shelf offering books on Tanzania, Nirobi and climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, the distraction began. A loud voice calling out the titles of various travel books to someone in an adjacent isle. I took a deep breath, slightly irritated. She continued. Now I was annoyed. Could she not see I was reading and know of the unspoken rule that talking is a no-no in areas where massive amounts of books reside? I made sure not to make eye contact with my intruder. Low and behold coming from the left about three feet away a chipper voice leaned down and called out "what are you reading?" The moment I opened my mouth to respond I made the choice to be open to connecting, nothing deep, and not irritatedly dismissing what could be a nice conversation. I cheerfully stated my reading choice on Tanzania and Mt. Kilimanjaro. I ended up chatting with the woman for almost 30 minutes in a wonderful exchange and appreciation of travel and adventurous experiences. She had traveled extensively to amazing locations and shared tidbits of her journeys. She was there looking at books on the Cook Islands in Chile for a trip her and her Astronomer husband were planning three years from now when a total eclipse of the sun will be taking place and most visible in that area. She's not my new best friend and I may never see her again but in that moment it was synchronicity. Not only did I have a pleasant exchange that refreshed me, there was a personal confirmation of the fabulous-ness of my adventures in Africa this Fall.

What opportunities could you be missing that might provide or allow you to receive encouragement, or a refreshing exchange that could breed opportunities in business or relationships by not being open or available? Next time you are in the book store, the grocery store, the gas station or just moving through life be open to this state of being and having synchronicity and see what doing so can add to and enrich your day, week, month or future.

I am intrigued and my mind is now ticking about the possibility of Chile and the Cook Islands in three years during the total eclipse of the sun. Had I not been open to conversating, I might not have known about such a sensory experience to embark on and travel to. Synchronicity. Maybe I'll see her in Chile.

Rock Your Verve,
Rachael