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24 Hours Of Living ‘In The Flow’
By Todd | June 11, 2008
Have you ever experienced a period of time where it felt like everything you did was perfectly in flow with the way you should be living your life? When it happens you usually encounter a high frequency of coincidences, or what I prefer to call synchronicities.
Most people dismiss these experiences as just random acts in the random play of life. I could not disagree more! The moments you are truly living in the flow (and it could be for an hour, a day, or even weeks and months on end) are the times you have access to the universal wisdom that lies within each of us.
And this wisdom holds the key to living a life with excitement, success, fulfillment and love we all desire! Therefore it is imperative not to dismiss the times you experience high degrees of synchronicity, but rather bask in its wonderful flow with attuned awareness and consciousness.
It is also important to share these stories with friends and loved ones, as living in the flow is contagious…the more we talk about it and think about it, the more it happens.
Which brings me to MY tale:
A few weeks ago I was travelling back from LA on business, and the morning of my flight was the beginning of 24 hours of very intense coincidence and synchronicity.
It began at dinner with a bunch of colleagues as a friend shared a very emotional story of something that happened to him in the past, the date of which became quite significant in his life.
Almost on cue, Keri (one of the other people at the table) and I blurted out “what’s the date”? It turned out to be September 20 and Keri and I looked each other and she said ‘yea, that’s my birthday’.
Keri explained that she just knew he was going to say that date. The gentleman next to Keri then shared that his eldest son was born on September 20. The person next to him then explained that September 20 is the day her mother died.
Another friend chimed in that his eldest sister is born on that date. Besides me, everyone at the table had a significant story regarding September 20! It was an eerie (and very cool) few moments…and the connection between those at the table was palpable.
Synchronicity 30,000 Feet In The Air
The next morning I get on a plane back to New York, exhausted from the long trip and passed out. A few hours into the flight the girl next to me taps my leg (while I was sleeping) and says “excuse me, but if you are bored and need something to read I have an extra book on my bag”.
I looked at her for a second as if to say “are you kidding me…you wake me up to exchange pleasantries”, but I just go with it and ask ‘what book’. Of course it turns out to be the Eckhart Tolle A New Earth book, which I have written about a lot on this site.
This sparks a pretty deep conversation and we ended up talking for close to three hours. It turns out my new ‘friend’ is going through a pretty serious awakening process and there were many similarities, or coincidences, between us. I guess there was a reason she felt compelled to wake me up!
Upon landing, I had to go directly to a meeting for yet another start-up venture I am involved. This project’s leader is a particularly bright and engaging individual named Derrick Ashong (from the band Soulflege, The SHIFT movie trailer, and a few infamous YouTube videos).
I got to the meeting just as Derrick was starting his explanation of the business, and listened with great interest as he described a launch event in New York City this fall on…you got it, September 20. I almost fell off my chair, and shared with the folks at the meeting my dinner experience from the night before. Synchronicity working its magic…
The Next 12 Hours
The next morning I woke up and went to my usual diner for breakfast. I have become friendly with one of the waitresses there (she always sees me reading books on meditation, self improvement and the like) and upon seeing me says “OH, where have you been, I’ve been waiting for you and have some stuff you might enjoy”.
She then hands me a bag with a few books and a CD by a local Cellist I told her I liked. One of the books concerned Yoga practice, and seeing it tipped me off that there is a local Yoga studio that I have been meaning to check out for some time…and that today might be the perfect day to do it.
You see, a few weeks before I received an email from the business development manager of this particular Yoga studio after she did a search on the ‘caterpillar to butterfly’ phenomenon and found my article on Google.
She became intrigued by We The Change and saw I was located in New York City and sent me a very nice email. After some communication, she suggested I come into the studio and take a free class.
SO, after a few hours of catching up on emails I went over to Lafayette street to check it out. I walked into the studio and it was pretty much closed (it was the middle of the day and they only have classes in the mornings and evenings). BUT there was one person there: Kristen, the girl who had written me the email.
The two of us hit it off right away, and got into an hour conversation about all sorts of things. One of the major coincidences was that she used to date Daniel Pinchbeck, the author of 2012 The Return of Quetzalcoatl (the book I was reading and in my bag at the time).
She then told me a story of how a few years ago she spent an entire summer in a state of love. I was intrigued by this and asked her what this felt like. She explained that during this time she was constantly enveloped in feelings of grace, peace and acceptance.
She also realized that this is how human beings were supposed to feel ALL the time, and that love and non-resistance were our natural states…and stress and anxiety were mind-made constructs.
Living in Continual ‘Love’?
On the way home from speaking with her, I gave the idea of living in a constant state of love some thought. Was it really possible to live this way all the time? I stopped off to pick up some lunch and walked into my apartment. I turned on the TV for the first time in about 2 weeks and the first thing I heard was Hugh Grant’s voice in the movie LOVE, Actually.
Of course this movie was on, given the conversation I just had and the day of synchronicity I was ensconced (FYI, if you have not seen this film, it is AWESOME and I highly recommend it)!
SO, I sat there and watched this movie which is all about Love and the various forms it comes. When it ended I realized that it had been exactly 24 hours since I landed from Los Angeles. I reflected on the events and got the sense that I had been living in a state of grace, acceptance and love, and that the 24 hours were full of flow and synchronicity.
In The End…
I feel that these moments are the universe’s way of telling us “you are on the right path”. I believe it is our job to manifest these synchronicities in our lives, and to experience with heightened awareness the wonderful feelings of flow they provide. OR, you can simply be resistant, combative and constantly unfulfilled with life. We all have this choice…which sounds better to you??
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Topics: Perspective, Alternative and Holistic Healing, Career |
Speaking of synchronicity Todd, just as I clicked this article the song “Strange” by Built To Spill started playing from iTunes. Coincidence? I don’t know. Probably not.
It’s so easy to get caught up in the drama and hectic nature of day to day life. Returning to that state of love and awareness is so important. It’s what I live for, and I think what we all search for. We only need to realize that it’s available here, now, in the present. Of course, the search is half the fun. =)
Posted by: Jonathan Mead on June 11th, 2008 at 11:15 amThank you for sharing this story, and glad you are back to blogging!
I’ve been thinking for a few days how the seemingly small things in life, the mini decisions we make in everyday life, work into the big picture of life, especially in our intention to live a joyous and peaceful life. This post shows it clearly. Thanks again.
Posted by: Akemi - Yes to Me on June 11th, 2008 at 11:56 amHow exciting!
I have observed that the more I notice synchronicities, the more they seem to happen. I’m not yet sure if they actually happen more, or I’m just attuned to them so I notice them more.
What I do know is that, like you, I can no longer ignore them. They are FAR too significant… and now it seems they are happening all the time.
On your quote:
“I gave the idea of living in a constant state of love some thought. Was it really possible to live this way all the time?”
I believe it is possible based on my experiences with gratitude. On a few occasions, I’ve been in a “state” of gratitude where it did not matter if what was happening to me was “good” or “bad,”… I wasn’t grateful FOR something, I was simply grateful.
I have a sneaking suspicion that love can be the same way. We can be love… or loving, without a reason or attachment to the result.
I am interested to explore this further…
Thanks for sharing your synchronicities! I always enjoy reading about this stuff because it seems to awaken within me more synchronicities in my own experiences as well…
Sort of like the ‘Yawn Effect’
Posted by: Chris Cade | Spiritual Stories & Parables on June 11th, 2008 at 12:33 pmNo BS I swear this is true, as I started reading this post I had Itunes playing in the background and you would never believe what came on!!! Yes it was indeed ‘Necessary Evil’ by Napalm Death! What a coincidence, eh?
No seriously, it was Summer of Love by Factor 15. Ok, not amazing, but kind of interesting.
Good story man!
Posted by: Tim Brownson on June 11th, 2008 at 12:36 pmTodd,
It is really great to have you back writing again, I have missed your inspiration!
I really like your term synchronicity better than coincidence because everything in this World is connected and happens for a reason. We are all “synched” with each other and the more everyone realizes it the faster CHANGE can happen.
www.JuiceofChampions.com
Posted by: Brad Baggett on June 11th, 2008 at 8:24 pmI realized I was completely engrossed in reading this post as I thought back to the last time I felt such a flow. I’ve experienced it so I know exactly what you mean and I suppose I catch myself looking to ‘ride that wave’ again.
But as you pointed out, things like resistance get in the way.
And *smile* a summer of love. I wouldn’t say I had an entire season but there have been periods of times where I just went with it and I was genuinely happy and appreciative. The people around me often noticed and commented..
This is one inspiring piece that I just really needed right now. Thanks!
Posted by: JEMi | Tips for Life, Love, You. on June 12th, 2008 at 2:00 amYes you had me from beginning to end as well. This is a captivating story and a fine piece of writing. Thomas Leonard said that synchronicities were the intersection of you and opportunity. Thanks for the lovely reminder.
Posted by: Tom Volkar / Delightful Work on June 12th, 2008 at 4:46 pmHi Todd,
Thanks for sharing your story in such a meaningful way.
I too, am trying to live in each moment - it’s difficult, but worth it when it happens.
Posted by: Chris - The Rotater on June 13th, 2008 at 4:46 amTodd,
I’m struck by the notion that synchronicity (and/or our awareness of synchronicity) is the result of living life in a particular way… a way that finds our thoughts, words, and actions aligned with our greater purpose.
I think there’s a fluidity of perspective that allows allows people to glimpse these synchronicities and embrace them.
Thanks for living the example!
Erek
Posted by: Erek Ostrowski on June 14th, 2008 at 11:13 amSynchronicities are everywhere, and I think that becoming aware of these is a significant step on the journey of self-awareness. I don’t believe in coincidence, the more you look, everything happens for a reason.
Posted by: Kate Saltfleet on June 15th, 2008 at 4:53 pmI pretty well have the “in the flow” thing happening most of the time - I notice more when it ISN’T happening, and take some time out to reconnect with myself (even if I just need to change an attitude).
Thanks for your post
Cheers, Robin
Posted by: Robin on June 15th, 2008 at 8:57 pmThanks for this inspiring post. I’d add that one method I use of keeping myself in a state of “flow,” whether I’m working or playing, is to catch myself each time I start thinking about my agenda or what I want to achieve with what I’m doing. When I find myself “self-seeking” in what I’m doing, I try to focus all my attention back on just doing the activity, and that restores my productivity and peace.
For example, if I’m writing and I start worrying about what editors are going to think of my article (”self-seeking”), my productivity will drop because I’m going to second-guess every word of my piece. But if my attention is simply and entirely on the task of writing, my quality and efficiency go way up.
Posted by: Chris Edgar on June 18th, 2008 at 5:18 pmTodd:
First let me say that I’m so grateful that there is a way for readers to correspond directly with the author of articles because it allows anyone (me) to express my excitement, opinion, thoughts, etc.
I love the topic of synchronicity because I’ve experienced it countless times, leaving me (each and every time) in a state of awe. It never ceases to amaze me how perfect the universe is.
My church even created an event around the topic of “in the flow” because it’s so powerful!
This article was extremely captivating - and it made me wonder what was going on “behind the scenes in the universe.” I tend to like to figure things out which could actually be a downfall or “character defect” if you will. I am continually reminding myself of the need to let go and simply be in awe. If I’m meant to learn the meaning behind something, it’ll come to me.
Another reason I liked today’s post so much is becuase I’ve been experiencing a series of events that can only be described as being in the flow (where everything seems to be unfolding naturally and with ease). All of a sudden people are inviting me for interviews that can only be gifts, including a nationally syndicated columnist and a writer from Forbes. It’s all happening naturally without much effort on my part.
Why?
Because of being in the flow. Embracing the mysteries of life and letting the philosophy of “time picks you, you don’t p;ick time” work to your advantage. Trust that when your time comes, it will. But not on your terms.
Thanks, thanks, thanks. I really enjoyed this Todd. Keep sharing - I love your style.
Posted by: Stephen Hopson on June 19th, 2008 at 9:18 amHi Todd: I think that synchronicity is a way to speed up how fast we get the good things that are coming to us, if we choose to pay attention to them. For example, you feel compelled to talk to a stranger sitting next to you, but you choose to ignore the feeling and miss the opportunity. It turns out this stranger had the missing element that you needed to be able to launch your new business. Without that information, it takes you several more months to launch your business than it would have if you had followed your hunch and spoken to him. You have a great blog here.
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