Reflections

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  1. Robin Ann

    Good Evening All, I haven’t felt that grateful in the first few days of Covid but happy to say I am doing well and feeling much better!! I believe that people come in and out of your life for many reasons. Possibly to teach you a lesson or help you through a current struggle. I met my friend Mike through a catholic dating app. After we met we learned that my Mother passed away on Mother’s day and his Father passed away on Father’s day. Is that happenstance? My Mother told me to meet someone eventually that you have things in common with and are compatible with. Mike is that person, we love our faith, sailing, anything Irish, travelling and much more. Is it happenstance? Anyway it works and that is what is important at this stage of my life!

    10 months ago
  2. Don Jones

    The web of life has had many surprises, none of which I could have predicted.

    10 months ago
  3. F
    Faith Imani

    I remember the I met my best friend. We were standing in line, about to take an exam to a high school with an entrance exam. We forgot to exchange contacts but ended up together at the same high school. We’ve been friends/sisters for over forty years now! Our connection may have seemed like happenstance a the time, but as our relationship grew, we knew that God was in their midst of our relationship as it grew from adolescent girlhood to middle-age adults!

    10 months ago
  4. Dolores Kazanjian

    All of them. As I look back on my (very long) life, I can see how it was directed in large ways and small. The people who have been important, the life changes, the career shifts, the wonderful adventures. All of it. As I have posted before, I do not believe in “happenstance” or “coincidence.” We just have to pay attention, and say “yes.”

    10 months ago
  5. Banning

    I made a friendship with someone unexpectedly. I’ve never clicked with someone as quickly and easily as we clicked.

    10 months ago
  6. luv-1-nutter

    What if for one day each being acknowledged the fear
    and let it go? Suspended beliefs
    opened their arms, drew strength
    through earth, grass, rock, sand
    Found the sparrow singing from a lone bush
    the small heart-shaped cloud
    Felt the currents of air wash over them, mingle
    with the breath, and let the seams unravel
    borders blend, walls dissolve
    and be
    one.

    10 months ago
    1. Barb C

      Poetry. Beautful.

      10 months ago
    2. Joseph McCann

      Thank you Luv-1-Nutter. I am going to write that down in my journal of sayings.

      10 months ago
  7. Charlie T

    Everything about my life is happenstance.
    I mean, my intention brings me closer
    to my desired destination, but in the end,
    some of the most important connections
    are a result of me relaxing my grip on
    control. As someone said here, willingness
    is the key. Also said here, trusting life.
    These are not easy things (at least for me).
    Crisis has also played a roll in connections.
    It goes something like: things come to a
    crisis, my life crumbles around me,
    at some point I give in and let go
    (or maybe it’s taking control) and I let
    things just just happen, and voila,
    connections. It’s magic. I love it and I
    live for it.
    I’m learning to do this without the crisis.
    Reflecting on these cherished moments
    if very helpful, as it reinforces my trust
    in life.
    I love this song and I’ve copied the lyrics. I recommend listening to it. Loudly😁

    I remember when
    I remember, I remember when I lost my mind
    There was something so pleasant about that place
    Even your emotions have an echo in so much space
    And when you’re out there without care
    Yeah, I was out of touch
    But it wasn’t because I didn’t know enough
    I just knew too much
    Does that make me crazy?
    Does that make me crazy?
    Does that make me crazy?
    Possibly
    And I hope that you are having the time of your life
    But think twice, that’s my only advice
    Come on now, who do you, who do you, who do you
    Who do you think you are
    Ha ha ha, bless your soul
    You really think you’re in control
    I think you’re crazy
    I think you’re crazy
    I think you’re crazy
    Just like me
    My heroes had the heart to lose their lives out on the limb
    And all I remember is thinking I want to be like them
    Ever since I was little
    Ever since I was little it looked like fun
    And it’s no coincidence I’ve come
    And I can die when I’m done
    But maybe I’m crazy
    Maybe you’re crazy
    Maybe we’re crazy
    Probably
    Crazy – CeeLo Green (gnarls Barkley)

    10 months ago
    1. Don Jones

      The concept of sanity might just be overrated, hey?

      10 months ago
    2. luv-1-nutter

      can’t go for tha.. can’t go fer that. Can’t can’t go, oh oh ohh,no can do

      10 months ago
  8. A
    Ann Smith

    Too many to mention, but today I’m thinking of my college friend and roommate. I met her at my side job in the college Physics department. We became friends and then roommates. I was very young when starting college, living away from home, and she was like a big sister helping me navigate my new environment. She was a friend to share my joys and sadnesses with, a role model for me for how I wanted to grow up to be confident, ethical and kind, and also a role model as a women in STEM. I owe her so much and am so grateful she took the time to befriend and guide me.

    10 months ago
  9. Barb C

    Most of them! That’s how life works, at least for me–bouncing off people and incidents and places and bumping into others. The happenstance is a given; whether or not a connection becomes meaningful depends on the people involved.

    10 months ago
  10. Carol

    Finding gratefulness.org after viewing a DVD of Br. David giving a talk on gratefulness in California many years ago and meeting all of you who visit here each day and enrich my life with your open hearts and minds. I’m writing this on my phone. New computer ordered and hoping that my backup USB flash drive will restore my 30 years of journaling.

    10 months ago
    1. Joseph McCann

      Loving kindness to you & your USB flash drive Carol.

      10 months ago
    2. Barb C

      Oh, dear, I hope you get your journaling back, Carol! I write my journal in notebooks and every so often think about something happening, like a fire, that would take them.

      10 months ago
  11. Nannette

    I imagine many things come about by happenstance…but for the life of me- nothing stands out at the moment. But I am sure that lots and lots of events in my life occured that way! Wishing you all a wonderful day.

    10 months ago
    1. Yram

      Nanette, thanks for voicing that. I usually write my thoughts before I view other’s comments but I didn’t have a comeback. I don’t have a happenstance that really sticks out. I am very aware and grateful for all the interconnectivity that occurs. My life would not be this full and rich without it.

      10 months ago
  12. W
    WLS

    Too many to mention. My husband immediately begins laughing when “you’ll never guess what happened today” comes out of my mouth. I credit many of these moments to doing what I love and being open and receptive to others… there are so many connections when people share passions…

    10 months ago
  13. Joseph McCann

    In the spring of 1977, I was working on a flower farm outside of Arcata, California. Flower picking season was just about to start, and the farm was hiring. Two fellows, traveling west from Colorado, asked me if they could use my phone and I told them yes, but it was 5 mikes north in McKinleyville at the house. They said to use on the application, not to make a call. We had a good chuckle at my misunderstanding. They were hired and needed to a place to put up their canvas wall tent. I offered the place I was renting as it had a few acres. Meeting them is how I ended up moving to the San Luis Valley in 1979. I began to work on one of the fellows’ brothers farm. His farm was adjacent to my now in-laws. That is how I met and fell in love with my wife and eventually married lovely Cheryl,
    August 6, 1988. As they say the rest is history!

    10 months ago
    1. luv-1-nutter

      By chance.. or happenstance!? I set out from Mill Valley, CA and landed a campus living apartment in Arcata, CA, and after 9-11, went north to Crescent City, CA to be on campus, and met my life partner, more than 21 years ! Her roots are deep and her nickname is Lolly (short for Laura!)

      10 months ago
    2. Charlie T

      Perfect illustration.

      10 months ago
    3. Nannette

      Thank you for sharing that great story, Joseph!!

      10 months ago
  14. sunnypatti

    I believe that everything happens for a reason, so things that have seemed like happenstance were all what my life needed and were meant to be.

    10 months ago
  15. EJP

    My rescue dog came into my life purely by urgent necessity and has become my best friend and constant companion, while providing unconditional love always.

    10 months ago
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