Synchronicity

While we are talking about phenomenon, let's examine synchronicity for a minute, shall we?

Here's a link to Wikipedia's entry:  Synchronicity

Essentially synchronicity is defined as a confluence of coincidences, as in this snippet from the Wikipedia entry:

A well-known example of synchronicity is the true story of the French writer Emile Deschamps who in 1805 was treated to some plum pudding by the stranger Monsieur de Fortgibu. Ten years later, he encountered plum pudding on the menu of a Paris restaurant, and wanted to order some, but the waiter told him the last dish had already been served to another customer, who turned out to be de Fortgibu. Many years later in 1832 Emile Deschamps was at a diner, and was once again offered plum pudding. He recalled the earlier incident and told his friends that only de Fortgibu was missing to make the setting complete — and in the same instant the now senile de Fortgibu entered the room.

A good friend of mine calls synchronicity "Fred Astaire" moments, because her's always seem to involve some instance of Mr. Astaire (movie on TV, etc).

Personally, I experience synchronicity on a regular basis, in the form of a handful of coincidences too weird to ignore.  Some times these instances are just enough to make me go "hmmm." However, most other times I'm reminded of Rod Serlings immortal monologue:

You're traveling through another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind. A journey into a wondrous land whose boundaries are that of imagination. That's the signpost up ahead— your next stop, the Twilight Zone!

The signpost, of course, is the synchronicity event. You see, I believe that life is full of sign posts that we can pay attention to and earn something from (avoiding some trials and tribulations if we so choose), or ignore (and stumble headlong into whatever we deserve). Such signposts aren't always easy to distinguish from normal day-to-day events, but some are unmistakable signs.

Myself, I don't know what Mr. Deschamps was supposed to learn from his plum pudding adventures, but I've been paying more attention to the events in my life.

How about you? Weigh in via email or comments.