My city hosts a large two-day music festival each year, and I live within walking distance. If I sit on my terrace, I can hear the music. We attended the event a couple of years ago. It was fun, but it felt like a one-and-done experience.
Earlier this week, I received a letter from the festival organizers, offering two free wristband passes in thanks for dealing with thousands of people descending on our neighborhood. The bands cost about $250 each, and this offer was a first. I didn’t have a big desire to go, so I asked my sister if she’d like to have them. Here’s her response:
“OMG!! YES! Nathaniel Rateliff is playing on Sunday. He sings the song I play when I need to get my mind back into my business. I tried to get volunteer bands, but they were gone in a flash. I looked up tickets and couldn’t justify the cost of a one-day ticket. YES!! I’m dancing in my kitchen with tears. Life is so beautiful.”
WOW! What were the chances I’d get free tickets to see an artist who holds so much meaning to my sister? Is it a coincidence? Or a nod to my sister that she’s meant to pursue her business. We had a great time and made sister memories with the WOW! Moment.
Whether you call them coincidences, nods from the universe, or signs, seemingly random occurrences can hold a big WOW!
For example, one of the items on my WOW! List is to ride a Zamboni during an NHL game. I have no explanation; it’s been my goal since I was in my 20s. Last fall, we were having dinner at our golf club when a friend stopped by our table to introduce us to a new member. After a quick exchange of pleasantries, our friend added, “Oh, he drives the Zamboni for the Nashville Predators.”
Was that a mere coincidence? It feels like a nod for me to pursue my Zamboni dream.
Bernard Beitman, MD, a Virginia-based psychiatrist and founder of The Coincidence Project (TCP), has spent years researching coincidences, synchronicity, and serendipity. His mission is to educate people and encourage them to share their stories, helping us recognize the interconnectedness of all life through appreciating and sharing coincidences.
Beitman defines a coincidence as “two events coming together with apparently no causal explanation.” They can be life-changing, such as a chance meeting with someone who holds the key to helping you move forward on a project. They can also be comforting, such as when a loved one’s favorite song comes on the radio or when you are thinking about them.
In his book Meaningful Coincidences: How and Why Synchronicity and Serendipity Happen, Beitman explains that coincidences are more likely to occur during life stressors. They also happen during times of high emotion and strong need, which helps you be ready to use them when they occur.
“Some say God, some say universe, some say random, and I say ‘Yes,'” he said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. “People want things to be black and white, yes or no, but I say there is mystery.”
Coincidences make life more exciting and open the door to WOW! Moments. Have you experienced coincidences that seemed too good to be a fluke?
Love these stories…I believe they are not coincidences BUT you have to be open to them as you are 🙂 hope many more come your way!