The Hidden Power of Coincidence and How You Can Make it Work for You

When I was in high school, I learned that a new friend and I shared the same birthday. "Wow! What a coincidence," I said to her. "There are no coincidences," she answered back. For some reason, her words struck me, and from that moment on I began to see coincidences as more than just random events. I now believe that coincidences are actually glimpses of synchronicity, having the potential for opportunity, meaning and purpose.

We've all had coincidental experiences: You are mentioning a friend one minute, and she calls the next. You're daydreaming about a trip to Hawaii, then immediately flip to a tv show about it. A song from years ago flashes across your mind, and that very song comes on the radio. But what do these things mean when they happen? And how can we learn or benefit from them?

The first step in tapping into the power of coincidences is to become aware of them when they occur. A great way to do this is to keep track of them in a notebook. Jotting down coincidences does two things: it helps you see the connections among events in your life, and it makes you aware of the different levels of "wow factor", if you will, when it comes to coincidences. Some may only be minor, and may stay that way. But others may become more apparent, and more amazing, in time. Here is an example of what I've written in my own coincidence journal: "been thinking of buying the new Wayne Dyer book, but didn't want to spend the money right now---found it at an out -of -the -way yard sale!" (Cool coincidence, but not completely mind-blowing.) Here is another entry: "Andy and I were on the beach today, guy with a metal detector walks by, makes conversation, and tells us he dreams of finding a diamond wedding ring someday.. Hours later, Andy finds a diamond wedding ring on the way to the beach, and realizes it's MINE! It fell off my finger and I didn't even know it. All I can say is WOW!" Now that "coincidence" was mind-blowing indeed. It made me examine what I had been taking for granted, and also realize how something so precious could be lost so quickly, even imperceptibly. It made me appreciate my ring, and my marriage, even more. I knew in my heart that our encounter with that man with the metal detector, my unkowningly losing my ring, and then Andy miraculously finding it, all had to be a synchronistic event. It was something I simply had to question for meaning. Which leads to the next step in harnessing the power of coincidence: making the connection.

Once you become aware of coincidences, you can begin to make connections among them, or from them. "Connecting the coincidental dots" is all part of the fun. Sometimes it's good enough just to be open to the magic, to appreciate the joy in a coincidence when it happens. Like when I found that Wayne Dyer book. But you can also go a little deeper and ask yourself a few questions when you experience a coincidence, such as what is this coincidence trying to tell me? What is the meaning or purpose within this synchronicity? Where is this leading me next? Sometimes the answer will become apparent to you right away. Other times it will take awhile to reveal itself. But almost always one coincidence will lead to another good thing. That Wayne Dyer book may lead me to another great book, which may lead to who knows what other good thing? Currently, I am tracking some coincidences with a new acquaintance. I met her through a mutual friend just once last year, then again this year. Turns out she works in a doctor's office and recently met our son there. Since that second meeting, I've run into her two more times. Four connections in just four days! I wonder, why are our paths coincidentally crossing so many times? I don't know the answer yet, but I am open to the possibilities! Which leads to the last step in the power of coincidence: taking action.

There is no telling where coincidences may lead you. They may be a nice way to meet someone new, a nudge in a different direction, or a reminder to appreciate what you already have. They may lead you to the perfect book, the perfect job, or the perfect mate. Coincidences are like a spark lighting the way to what is good and right for you. But it is up to you to take the next steps. You have to be open and aware, be willing to wonder, and be willing to act. Remember, there are no "coincidences", but there are endless, wonderful possibilities waiting for you.