I am currently reading a book about awe. I think what draws me to this topic is when my husband and I went backpacking in Europe for 75 days during the summer of 2017. When walking the streets of some of the oldest cities in the world, visiting certain historical landmarks, or or being immersed in beautiful, natural surroundings, I felt awe every day; I have also never felt healthier or happier. Therefore, I have always wanted to learn more about why the emotion is tied to our wellness.
One of the biggest ways I currently feel awe is synchronicity – the seemingly mysterious phenomenon that occurs which feels like a coincidence. For example, when you are thinking about someone at the same moment you receive a text or call from them; seeing repetitive numbers or symbols; having a spontaneous encounter of connection, which ends up being a meaningful experience. The term was originally defined by Carl Jung in 1969 and has become an important concept in psychology. Studies have shown synchronicity increases feelings of well-being. For me, synchronicity is a spiritual experience that makes me feel both supported and a part of something bigger than myself. I like to think of them as a wink from the universe.
Recently, I was on an early morning walk. I had ventured through the grounds of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, which is one of my favorite detours to take when I am walking in my neighborhood. I passed a woman walking her dog, which happened to have the same coloring as mine, and it made me think of my King Charles Cavalier, “Charlie.” Given that we were leaving for the beach later that day, I had dropped him off at the boarders the day before, and the owner made a worrying comment about a mass she noticed on his side. He is getting older (he will 12 in November), and he has majorly slowed down, which I attribute to age. He has had difficulty breathing lately, and it was something I was planning to bring up to the vet during an upcoming appointment. Her comment about the mass made me nervous, so he was top of mind and I was sending him love from afar.
Five minutes later, I am leaving the VMFA, and I saw a couple of napkins scattered on the ground outside of the main entrance. Sometimes there are weddings, rehearsal dinners, and other events, so when I saw a drawing on the napkin with a caption underneath, pure curiosity made me stop to see what it said. As I looked down, I couldn’t help but smile – it was a drawing of a dog that looked just like Charlie, with the words “Cheers! Love, Charlie.” Synchronicity at its finest – a little love letter from the universe.
My dog Charlie:
Do you ever notice synchronicities? What is a memorable example of a synchronicity in your life?
