I Deeply Believe In Magic 💫
Photo: Myles (left), Me & Phil (right) at Lake Louise, Banff, AB, 2024.
🧵 And on that thread, here’s what happened last week . . .
On Sunday, I was pulling weeds in my front yard. A new therapy modality I have stumbled on and developed a minor addiction to. [More on that (maybe) later]
So here I was, weeding away when my dog goes to the very corner of our white picket – but mostly shabby – fence, and starts whimpering at someone at the bus stop.
She sounded like it was her long-lost owner. She’s a rescue.
Now this was odd for one reason only: she NEVER whimpers for random people waiting at the bus stop. And as you can imagine, there are many people daily at the stop just down the road.
Naturally, I look up and clock someone. Likely a man my age.
I jokingly think to myself: What if Zelda (my 🐶) has found me a soulmate? Laughing to myself, I carry on.
About an hour later, I began walking to a trendy coffee shop in the next neighborhood. Ahead of me is the guy from the bus stop. How odd!
Unbeknownst to me, he was going to the very same shop and by the time I arrive he had already ordered a coffee, asked to take photos, and expressed that he was a tourist.
When I go to leave he holds the door and I say thank you. We part ways. For the next 20 minutes, I casually return to the notion that maybe I should have offered to show him around. Give him a tour of the city I grew up in that I no longer have childlike eyes for – but maybe I'd see it differently.
It seems like a random thought that's impossible to action so I drop it.
The very next day, Monday, I travel with my friend, 1.5 hours outside Calgary to a touristy town called Banff. For over a week we had planned this day trip to see the Art Nature Trail.
On the car ride, I tell my friend about the bizarre encounter and the intuitive idea I had about hosting this guest in our city. He doesn’t weigh in and probably thinks I’m crazy.
About halfway through the art trail, I whip around, nearly running into someone and it’s the very same guy! Without a moment to think I say “Hey! I saw you at Luke’s yesterday when you held the door for me.”
We got talking, one thing led to another and soon enough we were dipping in the emerald ice-cold Bow River, having a meal together, and sharing saltwater taffy in Banff.
The rest of the week, the three of us explored our new friendship and experienced a kind of familiarity that only comes from good energy and past lives.
During our final goodbye, Phil (the guy from the bus stop chosen by Zelda 🐶) said “I know we have only just met but I feel like I’ve known you two for ages.”
The feeling was mutual.
May we continue to follow our inklings, act on our shameless fangirling, and listen to the intelligence of our non-human friends 🐾 ✨
Article FAQs generated by Chat GPT:
1. What are the implications of attributing meaning to seemingly random coincidences?
Attributing meaning to random coincidences can enhance personal satisfaction and a sense of connection to the world. It may foster a positive outlook and openness to new experiences. However, this attribution can also lead to cognitive biases, such as seeing patterns where none exist, and might influence decision-making based on perceived serendipity rather than rational analysis. It’s essential to balance recognizing meaningful coincidences with maintaining a critical perspective on their actual significance.
2. How might the reader begin to find magic, meaning, and coincidences in their everyday life?
To find magic, meaning, and coincidences in everyday life, readers can practice mindfulness to become more aware of subtle connections, keep a journal to reflect on patterns and insights and embrace curiosity by exploring new experiences. Engaging in creative activities, nurturing relationships, and focusing on gratitude can also reveal the extraordinary aspects of the mundane.
3. What type of magic is described in the story?
The type of magic described in the story is more about a sense of serendipity and meaningful coincidence rather than supernatural forces. It involves recognizing and attributing significance to seemingly random events that align in surprising and meaningful ways, creating a sense of wonder and connection in everyday life. This form of magic emphasizes intuition, unexpected connections, and the idea that the universe might subtly guide us toward meaningful encounters.