In the current chapter of my life, one prominent shift has been my relationship with science and mysticism. For most of my life, I described myself as a Child of Modernity. If science could not prove it, I was highly skeptical. Over the past few years, my way of being has shifted. Now my default mindset is to be open to anything, unless science can disprove it.
The skeptics of the world may eschew my new way of being and cling to their science-first mindset. All I can say is, beyond a shadow of a doubt, my current perspective is a lot more fun. Who doesn’t want a little magic and mysticism in their life?
A Story of Synchronicity
I’ll offer one of my favorite recent stories of synchronicity by way of example.
A good friend was preparing to go on a mini-walkabout. I was hopeful her travels would include a visit to me in Santa Fe. She reached out a few weeks ago and asked formally if she could visit. I was delighted, only there was a catch. She would be bringing her dog. My lease does not allow pets. While I thought my landlord would make an exception, I didn’t want to strain my relationship this early into my lease. My friend was disappointed, but understood.
I was en route to my new home as we had this conversation. When I arrived, ten minutes later, my landlord was there. This wasn’t planned. We took the opportunity to walk through the house and talk through some potential repairs.
As we looked at a back gate that didn’t close properly and discussed a stop-gap solution, she asked me, “You don’t have a dog, do you?”
A bit taken aback, I replied, “I don’t – and the lease says I can’t have any pets.”
She looked incredulous. “It does?”
“Yes. I have a friend who wants to come visit but needs to bring her dog.”
The owner waved her hand dismissively. “Oh, that’s fine.”
Just like that, the Universe had swept away this barrier, and my friend was able to visit.
When I told my friend this story, she was not surprised. Ever since she decided to move, she has encountered synchronicities like this. She shared several other stories, more magical than this one, where the Universe has swooped in and cleared out an obstacle for her to facilitate her move.
The skeptic will call all of this a coincidence. I see magic in the air, and a responsive Universe that finds ways to help us. It’s summed up in my favorite quote of all time, from Joseph Campbell:
“Follow your bliss. If you do follow your bliss, you put yourself on a kind of track that has been there all the while waiting for you, and the life you ought to be living is the one you are living. When you can see that, you begin to deal with people who are in the field of your bliss, and they open the doors to you. I say, follow your bliss and don’t be afraid, and doors will open where you didn’t know they were going to be.”
See his interview with Bill Moyers for the full quote in context.
Embrace the Magic
I have countless stories from the past few years of synchronicities like this one that have pointed me in the right direction, removed obstacles, or affirmed that I’m on the right path and should keep heading in the same direction. They’ve probably been there my entire life; I wasn’t looking for them before.
Synchronicity is the gateway drug to bringing more magic into your life. You don’t need a formal practice—no meditation, prayer, or rituals required. Just watch for them. When a coincidence appears in your world that feels meaningful, make a note. Take a few minutes to reflect on what this synchronicity might mean if there is something spiritual or mystical at work behind the scenes.
For more of my thoughts on synchronicity, check out my earlier post on the topic.
Walkabout Corner
Once in my childhood, my father, sister, and I were traveling to Lewisburg, PA, to visit family. We stopped for dinner along Route 15 at a quaint restaurant named The Quail Call Inn. I was young enough to believe my father without question when he told us that he had a side job as a food critic for The Washington Post, and he would be writing a review of the restaurant for the paper. This tall tale transformed our dining experience, and I looked fondly upon The Quail Call Inn every time I passed it in future years, until, alas, it disappeared.
This morning, I looked out onto my back patio and was greeted with a marvelous sight. An entire family of quail was gliding by. This was the first time I can recall seeing quail in person. Magical.
I asked AI what this synchronicity might mean:
“As a spirit animal, Quail often arrives as a messenger of community, protection, grounded joy, and the sacred art of moving gently but purposefully through life.”
A blessing as I establish my new home in Santa Fe, and an affirmation that I’m on a good path, which I shall continue to walk gently and purposefully. And a lovely reminder of a simple dinner so many years ago.
I am an executive coach and life coach with software executive roots in higher education and EdTech. I coach because I love to help others accelerate their growth as leaders and humans. I frequently write about #management, #leadership, #coaching, #neuroscience, and #arete.
If you would like to learn more, schedule time with me.
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