How many times have you learned someone you knew was in the same place at the same time as you but you did not see them there? You could have passed them travelling opposite directions on the freeway. You could have been browsing one side of the book store shelf while she was on the other side but at the exact moment you turned the corner, she left the aisle and the store. You could be somewhere you would have never expected to see him on the up elevator at the John Hancock building in Chicago while he was descending then departed. How many times do these near-meetings happen where you never learn about them?
I’m amazed by stories of miss-firing of coincidence and fate. It fascinates me that siblings separated by adoption since they were babies can live within blocks of each other sometimes even working at the same company and not realize their connection for years. How many people never discover their link? I wonder what this looks like from miles above. I imagine it is like the movies; the scenes where the main characters’ true love stands feet behind them. You scream in your head, “Turn around, turn around. He’s right there,” but they proceed in opposite directions, the moment lost.
What about the times where, inexplicably, you do turn at just the right moment to allow your eyes to meet the loved one, friend or acquaintance, and the opportunity is realized? What causes us to turn our head at that particular time diverting our eyes to that particular place in space? Is it a force watching from above like a movie and you hear them scream, “Turn around!”
Sometimes these moments are relatively insignificant; you nod your head, wave hello and move on with your business. If the moment passes, you are not changed and your life proceeds as it would have otherwise. Sometimes it may be an old friend with whom you lost touch; seeing them may allow you to exchange e-mails and regain contact. Missing it, you may wonder where the friend ended up and regret not backing up your e-mail address book. What if it is someone who was a significant influence in your life; someone weaved into your soul; and someone you think about every day? While seeing them would force them to acknowledge you, answer the questions they can no longer ignore and provide you a sense of closure, not seeing them would keep you a prisoner, shackled to their silence.
Thinking about this phenomenon gave me an idea for an experiment. Wouldn’t it be interesting for individuals to document their comings and goings for a period of time to see if their paths cross, whether to their knowledge or not? I think so; therefore, this week’s blog contains an assignment, should you choose to accept it. If you would like to participate, document where you go on Friday, November 6, 2009 and Saturday, November 7, 2009. Be as detailed as you like, estimating times if needed. If you know someone else who may want to participate, please send them a link to this blog (www.jodiet.com/blog) or copy and paste it’s content into an e-mail to them. If you would like reminders regarding the experiment, send me an e-mail at admin@jodiet.com with “experiment” in the subject line. I assure you I will send you a separate e-mail and keep your e-mail address private. Please provide a name to include; your real name, initials, or made-up name if you prefer.
Please post a comment to this blog entry or e-mail your log to me at admin@jodiet.com by Saturday, November 14, 2009. I will compile the results and post them in my blog on Monday, November 16, 2009. This happens to be my birthday so consider it your gift to me. Using the following form will assist me in compiling results but please feel free to submit your log in whatever form works best for you.
NAME (Real or made-up): _____________________________
CITY, STATE (& COUNTRY, if not USA) OF PRIMARY RESIDENCE: __________________________
CITY, STATE (& COUNTRY, if not USA) OF PLACE YOU SLEPT THE NIGHTS OF NOV. 5TH-6TH & 6TH-7TH IF NOT AT PRIMARY RESIDENCE:
______________________________________________
TIME/TRAVEL LOG:
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6TH:
BEGINNING TIME; ENDING TIME; PLACE
_______; ________; _________
_______; ________; _________
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7TH:
BEGINNING TIME; ENDING TIME; PLACE
_______; ________; _________
_______; ________; _________
(Add as many lines as you need to. If you are at home (or wherever you are staying if not at home), just write “HOME”. Be as vague or detailed as you are comfortable. Please do not provide your exact home address; if you do on accident, I will omit it when posting.)
HERE IS AN EXAMPLE:
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6TH:
BEGINNING TIME; ENDING TIME; PLACE
12:00 a.m.; 8:30 a.m.; Home
8:30 a.m.; 9 a.m.; En route Home work to Northpark Mall, Davenport, IA
9 a.m.; 12:15 p.m.; Barnes & Noble, Northpark Mall, Davenport, IA
12:15 p.m.; 2:30 p.m.; Northwest Bank, Kimberly & Harrison St., Dav., IA
12:30 p.m.; 1:00 p.m.; McDonald’s drive through, Welcome Way, Dav, IA then back to work
1:00 p.m.; 5:00 p.m.; Barnes & Noble, Northpart Mall, Dav., IA
5:00 p.m.; 6:00 p.m.; En route from work to Home
6:00 p.m.; 7:00 p.m.; Home
7:00 p.m.; 8:00 p.m.; Church meeting, Catholic church, Division St., Dav. IA
8:00 p.m.; 12 a.m.; Home
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7TH…
ADDENDUM: Please provide as many details as you are willing to share including, but not limited to, routes taken, the weather, or any noteworthy occurrences, including times. Thank you!
