Beautiful coincidence or something more?

Posted bystephthesmartPosted inUncategorized

Having recently enjoyed an episode from the Mel Robbin’s Podcast on Synchronicity, it’s given me plenty to think about. So, buckle up because that’s what this blog is going to be – a stream of consciousness as I navigate what synchronicity is, and where it comes from, and what relevance it has in my life and think of some examples. It totally blew my mind, because I’ve definitely experienced it before but just never knew its name! As always, I hope you take something from the ponder and if this one isn’t for you, thank you for your time all the same. I realise it’s going to get pretty deep and also not be everyone’s cup of tea as I tread the waters of spirituality, chaos, and quantum mechanics.

I think I’ve always considered myself to be a spiritual person. What I mean by that is I believe there is something more to our lives and that we’re connected to something bigger than ourselves. For me that’s the universe and energies. I believe there are signs, symbols, and reminders that get sent to us from the universe when we need them, or to confirm to us we’re on the path we’re supposed to be on. It’s like a wee wink from Mother Earth, that says “you’re doing grand.” Now, I’m not a particularly religious person though. I don’t believe in God as such. But I do believe there is a higher power/energy. This belief appears to be getting stronger as I get older. That’s the context from which I’m writing anyway. So, let’s get into it…

As suggested by the title, today’s blog does some digging into this idea that the universe sends wee signs to us as a way to guide us and to confirm we’re on the right “path.” I guess I’m more curious about others’ experiences in this, and if you’d be willing to share, I’d love that!

To begin with, we need to define what synchronicity is. According to Dr Mike Hyman, the phenomenon is defined as ‘a meaningful coincidence – an event that on the outside speaks to something on the inside – as opposed to a random occurrence’ (Hyman 2022). Within quantum physics (the study of matter, with a focus on probability over certainties), and quantum entanglement (study of synchronicity in matter) there is research that shows synchronicity exists in the physical universe, that particles can impact each other even when they are light years away.

A concept in psychology, it was first introduced by Carl Jung in the 1950s. It was (and in some ways still is) a bit of an out there theory. In quantum physics, it is accepted that reality is shaped by consciousness. Meaning there is no such thing as one reality. If we go to the same concert, we’ll have different experiences that ultimately shape our own realities of the event. Synchronicities are part of this train of thought. Jung argued that synchronicity is when an occurrence happens that has a sign, symbol or meaning attached to it, but that the event on its own also has meaning. It’s not just a case of something happens and we interpret a meaning to it. The event will have a relation to something else going on, as well as a meaning of its own. It feels more than just a coincidence. For example, on the anniversary of a loved one passing, you hear their song on the radio. The song has meaning on its own, but also then holds a meaning (comfort, love etc) to you in the moment you hear it. Or you are thinking about someone you haven’t heard from in ages that you miss, and they suddenly get in touch, and you’re grateful that they have. These are examples of synchronicity. There is meaning for you in the occurrence. It’s worth noting that the synchronicity doesn’t always happen over short periods of time. They may appear over years like little puzzle pieces.

Can you think of a time in your life where you’ve experienced synchronicity?

As always, feel free to share!

For me, one of the biggest examples I think of in my life is around my partner Ade. Back in 2017 when I got the job at the university, my dad tagged me in a picture on Facebook of the campus, a beautiful 360 picture with the building bathed in light from Beautiful Inverness. You can see the very thing here. I gave it a like of course. 360 images were pretty new to me, so it was an instant hit. Ade and I didn’t know each other then. That was shared with me in the Aug of 2017.

Fast forward to late September of the same year. I’ve relocated to Inverness and like any young, free, and single gal I download tinder (again). I get chatting to this guy – Ade. It’s refreshing. It’s actual conversations and not a d*ck pic in sight! In actual fact at one point, he sent me a picture of a server unit with all the cables neatly organised as an example of something sexy. We chatted for about 6 weeks before we arranged to go for a date. He was on shift work which made it a bit of a challenge and I was finishing up work in Edinburgh as well as working 9-5 during the week. Anyway, we compromised, and he came down to Edinburgh with me on a day trip (I was working on a show). I know. Who goes on a date with someone they don’t know that includes 6hrs in a car! Don’t worry, I’d done my due diligence… I’d checked out his Facebook. Turns out we had a friend in common. Of all people Ade could be pals with… my dad. Naturally, I subtly asked dad the skinny on Ade. Nice guy, sound. That was enough for me. Ade and I have been together 5years now and my dad still highlights that he was dad’s bestie first.

It’s funny because when I moved up it was a maternity contract I’d taken. Claire, one of my Edinburgh besties said to me, “you’ll never come back to Edinburgh. You’ll fall in love and end up settling there.” I laughed and rolled my eyes.

Ade and I had been going out for about a month or so when he tells me he used to have his own photography business, mainly doing functions, but that he enjoyed taking pictures of highland landscapes and landmarks. The campus being a good spot for photos. He even told me about the Facebook group he started. Yup. Beautiful Inverness.

Is it a coincidence? Maybe. Do I think it’s something more? Yes. But that’s just it. We get to decide what has meaning for us. What may seem like small moments of nothing, can be huge moments of everything for someone else. For me, that moment felt like a revelation. Like somehow Ade and I are meant to be in each other’s lives.

What’s the point in me chatting about synchronicity? What benefit can it have?

  • Be open to coincidences: It can create an opportunity to be more open with the world. There is a belief that our souls attract people, places, and events that ultimately support our growth and development. We grow. We develop. Who doesn’t want that?!
  • Become intentional: The more aware you are of these synchronicities; the more agency you have in your life and the choices you can make. See the signs, acknowledge the feeling, and walk towards the sign.
  • Re-train your brain: what you think and what you feel broadcasts an energy. Within Quantum theory and neuroscience, each thought has an electrical charge, and each feeling has a magnetic one. When we change our mindset, we can change our lives. (Dispenza 2022).

For me, it’s about seeing the magic in the everyday. I take comfort in that. And let’s face it, with the world the way it is at the moment, so many of us need a little comfort in our lives.

In summary, synchronicities are events that you are meant to notice. They are meaningful coincidences. Not just random occurrences, but genuine anomalies and experiences that feel improbable. They make you feel something; empowered, comforted, supported, guided etc. for me, I welcome them. The last 11 weeks have been chaotic and unlike me, and yet, there is a sense to it all. A sense I’m not getting into right now, but it feels like everything that has happened has all happened for a reason, and it’s all the foundations and building blocks for something bigger that’s coming. Who knows?! Maybe it’s all in my head and I’m losing the plot. But for now, I’m interested to see how it all plays out.

Try it out. Scavenge for those synchronicities! And if you want to share when you find them, I’d be happy to listen!

This has been a SmartPonders.

Thanks for reading!

Steph x

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