The Journey

I aptly named Thursdays journey day because they are often a day of reflection for me. And this Thursday is no exception.

I have been finding a lot of serendipity in my world these days and I believe coincidences do not occur by chance (despite the definition).

I went out for a couple of brew at my local bar last evening feeling kinda down for no particular reason. Maybe there were a number of little reasons that added up to a small sadness.

I ended up talking with a former NHL player that is American/French Canadian and he was the serendipity that I am speaking of. At first he appeared like any other guy wanting to chat at the bar. Over time I realized that he was not regular and he slowly got more and more of my attention.

He told me that he has written a book on some of his experiences while playing in the NHL. He said it will shake up the League, of that I have no doubt. (I will not divulge the crux of it here as it has not yet been released by the publisher.)

As we talked he noticed some things about me that could not have been guess work. He actually had me in tears at one point though I kept a brave face (I didn't want to seem like a lush about to ball, anyway I didn't have that much to drink.) And maybe you're thinking he was trying to pick me up, but, though he may have thought of it, I really don't think that was his agenda.

No, he simply wanted to talk with someone that could actually understand what he was saying. That is something I absolutely understand. We had a great conversation and I realized that maybe some people can see things about me that I didn't think were that perceptible (well at least not on the first meeting anyway). He proceeded to say 'Remember Jackie, there are no coincidences. You needed to hear these things tonight.' I wholeheartedly agreed. It was true.

Oddly enough I hadn't consciously gone out looking for anything. I often hang out there and just chat with the staff and head home. I do meet some great people there too, but that wasn't on my mind last night.

I really did need to hear what he had to say. I have always found it a challenge to find people that I can really talk with: People that can really understand what I mean when I say things. They don't have to agree, in fact we spent a lot of time arguing too last evening (I can be very stubborn, but never closed), but just the fact that I can talk about ideas close to my heart and be heard is a big deal for me.

One thing he did say to me is something I have heard before in a very different context, but I have never forgotten it. He said 'You are different, you think and live outside the box therefore you must make a difference in this world.'

I guess I have known that for a while, I'm just trying to figure out exactly how. I think I'm already on the path to that difference, it's just still a little unclear.

He gave me the look in the mirror I needed to realize others are seeing in me things I am also seeing in myself. Sometimes I just am not quite sure where to go or how to proceed. I am at a down point that always requires a lot of reflection and peace. It is at these times that I spend more time with my animals and my son, they are centering and healing for me. It is no accident that I got my dog last week and that I have some time to think before I start a new work project next week. Life looks after what I need when I need it.

Serendipity indeed!