March 24, 2012
In
News & Updates
You know those times when something happens around you or someone says something and you think to yourself: Whoa. This is weird/crazy/ironic.
Then you think: Maybe not so much-Â I guess this means I’m exactly where I am supposed to be, and I’m doing exactly what I’m supposed to be doing.Â
I just had one of those.
After running a quick errand which ended up being hours walking around the city, I stopped at a Starbucks for a few minutes. An older gentleman (Vic) struck up a conversation about my coffee cake of all things. As we were chatting, he glanced to another table near us and saw a young woman (Rachael) reading a book he then inquired about. Our trio couldn’t have looked more different (or come from more different backgrounds) but sure enough during our chat, we found we all had very similar outlooks on life and some very specific things in common. Chalking this meeting up to another one of my awesome random coffee shop encounters when I explore, I said my goodbyes and started wandering home, smiling. Those seemingly random (but maybe not) interactions, continue to make me want to explore and wander everyday whether I am in my own city or out “traveling.” Never fail, strangers become my teachers and feel like I teach them too.
As I made my way to my neighborhood, I thought about Vic and Rachel. I thought about what I’ve been working on for BLR that I have not announced or shared with many of you yet. I thought of these “random” interactions, how many moves and transitions I’ve made, and how I’ve gotten to where I am. I thought about how excited I am for the big shift here on BLR that’s coming and how now is the time to use my experiences to support and coach others who are transitioning and making big changes in their lives. (Ok, now I am starting to give away what I’ve been working on…:)
As I got to my building and into the elevator, I am off in Neverland zoning out about all this. Two gentleman I have never seen before step in the elevator, the doors close on the three of us. (The following happens within 15 seconds):
Guy #1 looks at me and asks breaking my day dreaming session “Have you ever heard of the word peripatetic?”
“Hmmm…no I haven’t” I replied.
Guy #2 looks at his friend guy #1 and says: “Come on, you are making that word up.” (Clearly they had been talking about this word before getting on the elevator.)
Guy #1 says: “No I’m not, it means someone who’s moved around a bunch, or made a lot of transitions and teaches along the way.”
Guy # 2 looks at me and says: “You were thinking like nomad or something right?”
They both look at me at the same time now, and I know I have that:Â This is weird look on my face.
Me: “Um, This entire day has been spent thinking about how many transitions I’ve made, how much I’ve moved around, and the clarity I finally have about the teaching work I want to do.” (Scrunching my eyebrows studying them.) “It’s odd you just asked me that.”
Ding! My floor.
They both smiled, waved and said: “Have a great day!”
I stood there for a minute bewildered as the doors closed.
How do you explain all the above types of “chance” meetings?
You don’t. You just take them all in and allow yourself that fulfilling feeling of- yep, I’m spending time doing exactly what I need to be doing.
There are no “chance” meetings.
I believe 1,000%, if you follow your heart, share your experiences and expertise, and spend time doing what you love, you’ll naturally keep moving in the right direction.
What are you spending time doing?
By the way, the definition of peripatetic according to Dictionary and Wikipedia.
I’d say it’s crazy but I know it’s not.
