Synchronicity

We all know what it's like to be in the "flow". Your favorite song plays on the radio, you hit the traffic lights just right, you think of someone and they call, you run into a friend you haven't seen but were thinking of, everyone wants to give you money for your services....the list could go on forever. The question is, how do we get there on a consistent basis? To help answer that question, I'd like to take a deeper look at an element of flow--synchronicity. Here's the dictionary definition of flow: to proceed smoothly and readily...a continuous transfer of energy. Synchronize is defined as: to happen at the same time...to represent or arrange (events) to indicate coincidence or coexistence.

I look at synchronicity as the minute details of flow--this is the stuff of split second timing. To me, it's proof positive of some heavy duty planning power (Which I now call the Universal Coordinator). When you connect to and become aware of synchronicity, it's easier to let go of the control and expectations we automatically put on our lives. Why is it easier? Because once you become aware of how precise the details of flow are, it's easier to trust that there's a higher power working with us. As you remember to trust, it's easier to release barriers and detach from expectations--and that moves you into the flow.

Here's an example. My stepsister Kathy and her family stopped by my parent's house for a visit on their way through town. She called me up and asked if I could pop over. I was in the middle of writing so I told her I'd try after I finished--if I finished in time. I completed my writing and drove over to my folk's house. As I was putting my hand on the door to go in, she had her hand on the door to go out. Coincidence? I don't think so. Think about all the elements which had to come together for us to arrive at the door at the exact same moment.

I was writing an article on desires which I had been blocked on for over a week. Yet, the thoughts I was recording flowed out quickly. After turning off the computer, I went around the house doing the little things which needed to be done before leaving. Next was a stop at the mailbox to collect my mail, followed by sitting in the car and reading portions of it while the car warmed up. Then I drove through traffic to my parent's house. Some traffic lights I cruised through and some I didn't. I nfound a parking place, parked, locked the door, and walked to the entrance.

On my stepsister's end, the conversations with our parent's naturally wrapped up, the family was gathered, good-byes and hugs were exchanged (in our family this can be a time consuming process), and they walked to the elevators. The elevator arrived, they traveled through the lobby--arriving at the door at the exact moment I did.

For me it was perfect. I was able to finish my writing and still get hugs and kisses from my stepsister and her family. I had something I wanted to celebrate with my folks and was able to because Kathy's visit had ended and I wasn't taking the attention away from her. I fulfilled my inner desires to write, see Kathy and family, and celebrate a major success--all with effortless ease. Perfection--plain and simple.

The above example is a shining example of synchronicity. I like this example because each of us has experiences like this every day. Small coincidences which we don't notice because they are so subtle--not the "in-your-face" kind which demand your conscious attention. The question is: Why is this so important? What could the importance of recognizing synchronicity be to you?

Here's why it's important to me: I really "got" how precise being in the flow can be, which led to a shift in perception that's had a profound impact on my life. By becoming aware of synchronicity, I "got" that everything is coordinated to the most minute detail, and will happen easily, if I can simply get out of my own way. Easier said then done. Do you get in your own way? How? For me, there are two main ways I take myself out of the flow--control and expectations.

What exactly is control? Have you ever thought about it? I guess it's ultimately about not trusting, but who is it that isn't trusted? Yourself? Your God? Exte
al forces? For me, it comes down to not trusting myself. Having doubts, making others my authority, not really listening to my inner wisdom and often not even recognizing my inner voice. So, how does the trust build?

What I've noticed is two-fold. As I strengthen my inner connection and learn to listen my inner voice, I find it easier to trust, relax control, and act on what I hear. This takes me directly into the flow. Also, as I've developed an awareness of synchronicity, I find it easier to trust. By taking the time to really look at all the elements which must be coordinated for certain events to happe
"coincidentally", I've come to believe it's all there waiting for me, if I'll simply allow it to come through in it's own time and way.

Here's how I've been putting this new belief to work. Whenever I find myself pushing or resisting, I try to remember there is a powerful coordinating force at work which has a whole lot more available information tha
I do. I then consciously let go of the control. Sometimes I'm successful at releasing control and sometimes I'm not. Depends on how attached =
I am to the results. Often, I'll trust and let go for a while until my conscious focus goes to something else. Then, my urge to control is back in place without my realizing it. My emotions then key me into the fact I'm trying to control again--and the process starts all over!
What gives me encouragement is this: as my awareness of synchronicity grows, I'm more successful at letting go and trusting the natural outcome without forcing an outcome. Happily, this period of detachment is extending for longer periods of time. Being the impatient type, I have to keep reminding myself that Rome wasn't built in a day!

The second way I take myself out of the flow is with my expectations. I am an expectation queen! How about you? How strong are your expectations? Ever wonder why we have expectations? I guess expectations are simply our measuring devices for good and bad, right and wrong, now versus later, etc. No wonder expectations can dam up the flow.

Think about it, if everything is being coordinated to the smallest detail, for the highest good of all involved, how can expectations do anything but muddle the flow. We're looking at the picture through blinders. Our higher selves are using 20/20 hindsight, 20/20 forwardsight and a knowledge of which lessons we are ready to learn. To me, synchronicity shows this is true. Still, it's difficult to detach and trust.

Since I started playing with this concept, I've noticed things I'm naturally unattached to happen easily and usually there's a resulting sense of joy. For example, I had a morning massage scheduled. Upon waking on the day of the massage, I decided what I really wanted to do was spend the day writing and cleaning my house. Thought about canceling but I did=

't act on the thought. I was completely detached from the results. At 6:15 a.m. my massage therapist calls to confirm. She has never called that early and rarely calls to confirm. After a brief conversation, we reschedule for the following week. The result for me was good writing, a clean house and most important, I worked through a block which had been= ncausing me a lot of emotional pain. All in all, it was an easy and joyful experience. How about you, what's happening in your life right now which you're fairly unattached to? What are you experiencing as result of being detached? What outcomes are you emotionally invested in?

The challenge comes when detaching from something with extreme emotional investment. I have a friend who was very attached to being an Americorp volunteer. It seemed a perfect way for her to earn money, give back to society and have time to write. So she diligently filled out the application and waited for the results with great emotional investment. Unfortunately, it didn't look like the job was going to come through. Meanwhile, she decided to honor her inner desire to go on a personal quest, which meant leaving town for an extended time. When she made the decision, her attachment to Americorp disappeared. Funny thing, when she honored her inner desire and detached from Americorp, Americorp came calling. Now they are trying to arrange it so she has time for her personal quest and then returns to a job created for her by Americorp. This way she'll have everything she wants: her personal quest, a job which has meaning to her and time to write novels.

Ultimately sychronisity is about connections and communication. Look at how interconnected we are to each other--think about how many people are involved in a simple act like arriving at the door simultaneously. It's magnificent coordination at the highest level. Also, it's an excellent way for your higher self to communicate with you. If you are in the flow and everything is progressing with ease, then you have affirmation you're on the right path. Stop and acknowledge your achievement at attaining perfect flow. When things become hard, full of effort or don't go your way, look at what feedback a lack of flow and synchronicity is giving you. Then use your conscious awareness of synchronicity as a tool to help you back into the flow.

InnerConnection Exercises

Monday
Outer Awareness Question: When was the last time you consciously observed you were in the flow? (i.e. When was everything really easy?) Inner Awareness Question: What are the precise details that occurred? What happened with split second timing? (i.e. picking up the phone to call someone, the phone rings and it's them) Answering this question helps build awareness to synchronicity.

Tuesday
Outer Awareness Question: Have you ever been in the flow and it suddenly dried up (Things were easy and suddenly were hard)? When was the last time that happened? What were the circumstances? Inner Awareness Question: In what ways do you stop the flow? These could include expectations, your conscious timetable, controlling behavior, etc. (You expect a phone call at 10 a.m. and it doesn't come till 11 a.m. which makes you angry). This question may help you see where you're blocking yourself.

Wednesday
Outer Awareness Question: What events are you currently holding onto tightly (trying to control)? What are your expectations (results you'll be happy with)? Take this to the most mundane level. Inner Awareness Question: What would happen if you moved the energy you expend on expectations, control, etc. into other areas of your life? How could you consciously cue yourself on a daily basis to release and trust your higher power and the synchronicity of the universe?

Thursday
Positive Forward Action: Go through the day with a strong conscious awareness of flow and synchronicity. This will take some energy. Focus on synchronicity...the small details that require precise timing. It's all around us and happens daily. We just usually aren't aware of it. So for today only, focus on the Universe's timing. A phrase that might help: "What are the odds that...?"

Friday
Perception Shift: We are all connected--a part of the whole. Becoming aware of and watching for the synchronicity in your daily life, enables you to consciously see the connection. Awareness of the connection leads to increased trust and detachment. The more you trust, the easier it is to detach, and the more you move into the flow. When that happens, you fulfill your desires with effortless ease. n