There are no coincidences

I come to a point where "coincidence" is just a word that I´ve learned along the way. It does not fit in my conscious vocabulary any longer... The strings of latest happenings consolidate a knowledge acquired a couple of years back, today that same fact is brought to my attention once more.

On the way to work I finally finished reading a very interesting and useful book which sheds some light on gender specific communication, namely between Men and Women. Its old cape and yellowed pages look seems to contain learnings that still hold truth today, to the best of my experience in that field. And I´m sure that by reading "You Just Don´t Understand Women and Men in Conversation" one gets a more detailed perspective on how and why we so many times fall in each others "traps". It´s simple to read, not so easy to apply or keep in mind when "translating" in real time. But it´s a work in progress.

Back to coincidences. The string of latest happenings bring me back to my childhood and lifetime friend, the very owner of this book who so coincidently I thought of today in the metro. Alicia, you came up again later on in my Spanish class this morning. I realised right before my colleagues that you´ve been my friend since... (my) forever! By explaining to others in Castellano, I was reminded myself of what we used to do as children, the places we´ve been in, our trips, visits, games, so on. An exercise with interaction had me going back to Cascais and to the very origins of what is our relationship, all in the same morning that I "coincidently" happened to pick up your book again.

The question was really simple and an immediate "no" almost blurted out of my mouth, in reply to a "Do you keep in contact with any of your hometown childhood friends?" - It was then. The coming out of the house with your book in hand, which teachings I now resort to in my hour of need, made me think and program myself to send you an e-mail, simply to say that I´ve finished it today. And in class, it clicked. It´s not coincidence, I guess. Well, thank you. For more than the very interesting read, of course. It was a joy that I felt came at the very right time.

It´s no coincidence I finished the read today, nor is the loss of the bag with wallet, money, mp3s, Portuguese and Spanish documents, cards, keys, when coming from Portugal, nor is the event me and Joana went see there. Nor the vibes and feelings I´ve been feeling lately, nor are the Spanish innerworkings I´ve been experiencing. I´ve been told it´s life testing me. I´ve acknowledged through experience I´m the one attracting this onto myself. As all the other goodies, too! Here I am, no coincidence.

My arrival from Portugal was everything but peaceful or settling. Disturbing about describes the feelings that took over me when going through a luggage mental checklist, while walking to the train. I was taken by shock. Something about the powerless feel of the situation that makes you want to panic, or even blame something or someone for that. I ran, back to the door I came from. Of no use any longer, the route is now another. I find myself after a while, anxiously waiting by the lost and found helpdesk to open to the public, I´m thinking how I had "everything" just 20 mins ago, all condensed and practically stuffed in my little bag. How quickly that can be taken from you in a brief 10 mins that it takes you to walk out of the arrivals area. These moments tend to have a strange power of making you define what loss means to you. - irritation may cross your way too - They also make you become aware of what and who you have in your life. It did to me. I chose not to loose.

Breathe, just breathe. Center. Here is the moment.
Yet again I put to practice what has helped me recover lost goods in the past. After a couple of phone calls, I monitor the expression and body language of the lady reaching the crew of the plane on her desk. It seems positive.
Yet again, I become thankful. The bag is found. Yet again I feel thankful. It´s no coincidence - that´s how I like to believe.