Synchronicity

I am one of those who tend to believe in the synchronicity of the Universe. That there is an over-reaching interconnectivity in our lives. Often messages we need to hear come to us from unexpected sources at unexpected times.

During one of my lonely, pseudo depressed stages (Probably more dramatic than I need to be here) after having listened to the on-going complaints of several staff members, writing warning letters for another employee, trying to figure how to coach yet another into a more professional and organized state of being for her own sake… I took a walk.

I ended up at the campus bookstore and decided to spend a few minutes flipping through some of the popular glossies. As I stepped inside, I ran into a friend and colleague of mine, I'll call Olga. I like Olga for many reasons. The main reason, however, is that she is a citizen of the universe. Olga is a mature white woman of distinct European descent, with a fabulous accent. She has worked on campus for many years and has carved out her own niche. The University has a number of staff associations geared toward specific groups. For example, there is the Black Staff Association, The Pan Asian Association, the LGBTA group, Chicano/Latino Staff Association, even the European Association. Okay, that last one does make me giggle a bit. Whenever I hear it, I think of the old bit in which the child asks the Mother, why isn't there a “children's day” like there is a “mother's day”. And the Mother answers, “Everyday is children's day”. It seems the whole of society is the European Association. But I digress….

Back to Olga and synchronicity.

What I love about Olga is that she is on the board and actively participates in almost all of these associations. She chairs events with Black Staff group, is out cooking with the Pan Asian organization, marches with the Chicano/Latino group, etc. She refuses to be placed in a box. Fabulous!

When I see her in the bookstore, I ask how her what is new and how she is. She said she was great and told me about the weekend cross-cultural celebration she attended. She asked how I was doing and what was new with me. I heard myself give her my far-too-regular answer of “oh not much, just working..nothing exciting.”

Olga picked up my hand in hers and said “Oh no. There must be more. Not just working and nothing new. You know, last week, I ran into a co-worker I had not seen in a while. During our chat in the elevator, I asked her how she was. She said just busy, working, working away. I made a date to get together with her for some tea the following week. Well, it turns out she that she died of a sudden heart attack 3 days later. 39 years old, no children and caretaking a parent. Life is too short”, Olga said. “Tonight, when you go home after work, do something. Go out with some friends, see a movie, do something new.”

As she was speaking, I knew that I was supposed to hear this story. It touched something in me. The timing was impeccable. Why am I moping around when I have so much to be grateful and thankful for? Why am I still thinking of a relationship 6 months after it's own abrupt death? Life is short and you don't get any of these days back if you don't use them well.

I am trying hard to use them all well.