We all have had experience like this. Sometimes, in a hostel, where travelers of different walks of life meet, I invite people to play a game: I let anyone tell the strangest thing that happened to them over the last year, or over the lifetime. Some people tell of seing ghosts or paranormal, but way over half of the stories is of unexplained synchronicity. Curiously, I observe this happens more to travelers than to non-travelers. And the strangest synchronicity-type situation that happened to me, actually took place, years ago, in Slovakia!
Flew to Helsinki once in January to visit friends who’d joined Finnish dance troupe. (What other reason could there have been?) Casually turned to person next to me at luggage carousel and was suddenly face-to-face with once-close friend from college I hadn’t seen in maybe 30 years. Nearly blasted her head off with joy: “Jodi, my God.” She coolly acknowledged me, agreed it had been a while, grabbed her suitcase, and split. I was crushed. A week later got a note begging forgiveness. She was having affair with super-famous novelist—you all know him—and they were looking to weekend some place were nobody would spot him. Helsinki, in January.
Do not feel the least bit of guilt for stopping a walk if you have a problem— especially when there is no sidewalk and a decent chance you will get slapped in side of head by a side view mirror
This was a fun read! It is so smart to write these synchronicities down so you don’t forget how magical they are. I had this most recently happen when my daughter and I flew from LA to London and our seatmate was a woman traveling with her family. We chatted with her, found a few things in common, and after disembarking wished her a wonderful visit. About a week later, crossing a random bridge in London, we ran into her and her family!
Thank you for this lovely piece, Lisa. I experience synchronicities all the time, and I enjoy them tremendously. I loved feeling seen and finding a fellow traveller.
I'm a big fan of synchronicities myself. Case in point: I've recently become interested in 19th-century spiritualism in Spain, and I keep running across this brilliant article by L. Abend!
Ha! One of the few regrets I have about leaving academia is not following that story all the way through. Glad to know you're hot on the trail. But also SO curious! What's an early modernist like you doing in the 19th century?
Well, in another strange coincidence, in my book on early modern "false saints" the Inquisition chastised visionary women for "impersonating St. Teresa," and as it turns out, 19th-century mediums took it a step further and summoned her spirit in seances.
Terrific piece, Lisa, and incredibly relevant to many of my own experiences. Someone once told me that there are no such things as coincidences. They’re simply winks from above (whatever you believe your “above” is.) I love when they happen! Happy Holidays to you, and may your year to come be filled with even more winks and happy surprises.
Thank you, Stacey! And thanks for providing me with the image of winks from the universe--that's exactly what they feel like! Glad to know you experience them too.
I always wonder these things too! I’m so sorry I missed realising you were in the Cotswolds til it was too late… I would have joined you! But glad your birthday worked out well in the end!
We all have had experience like this. Sometimes, in a hostel, where travelers of different walks of life meet, I invite people to play a game: I let anyone tell the strangest thing that happened to them over the last year, or over the lifetime. Some people tell of seing ghosts or paranormal, but way over half of the stories is of unexplained synchronicity. Curiously, I observe this happens more to travelers than to non-travelers. And the strangest synchronicity-type situation that happened to me, actually took place, years ago, in Slovakia!
Flew to Helsinki once in January to visit friends who’d joined Finnish dance troupe. (What other reason could there have been?) Casually turned to person next to me at luggage carousel and was suddenly face-to-face with once-close friend from college I hadn’t seen in maybe 30 years. Nearly blasted her head off with joy: “Jodi, my God.” She coolly acknowledged me, agreed it had been a while, grabbed her suitcase, and split. I was crushed. A week later got a note begging forgiveness. She was having affair with super-famous novelist—you all know him—and they were looking to weekend some place were nobody would spot him. Helsinki, in January.
Now that is a good story.
Love this! I always get made fun of when I tell stories like this but it definitely feels like magic to me! Happy new year !!!
Ha, I’ve definitely been met with a few raised eyebrows when I tell these stories too.
Do not feel the least bit of guilt for stopping a walk if you have a problem— especially when there is no sidewalk and a decent chance you will get slapped in side of head by a side view mirror
Thanks for the reinforcement!
Loved reading about your synchronicities. What fun!
This was a fun read! It is so smart to write these synchronicities down so you don’t forget how magical they are. I had this most recently happen when my daughter and I flew from LA to London and our seatmate was a woman traveling with her family. We chatted with her, found a few things in common, and after disembarking wished her a wonderful visit. About a week later, crossing a random bridge in London, we ran into her and her family!
Thank you, Betty, and thanks for sharing your own moment of synchronicity! They are pretty wonderful, aren't they?
Thank you for this lovely piece, Lisa. I experience synchronicities all the time, and I enjoy them tremendously. I loved feeling seen and finding a fellow traveller.
Happy holidays!
That is so nice to hear, Anushree, thank you. And I'm so glad to know we share this experience!
I'm a big fan of synchronicities myself. Case in point: I've recently become interested in 19th-century spiritualism in Spain, and I keep running across this brilliant article by L. Abend!
Ha! One of the few regrets I have about leaving academia is not following that story all the way through. Glad to know you're hot on the trail. But also SO curious! What's an early modernist like you doing in the 19th century?
Well, in another strange coincidence, in my book on early modern "false saints" the Inquisition chastised visionary women for "impersonating St. Teresa," and as it turns out, 19th-century mediums took it a step further and summoned her spirit in seances.
Fascinating!
The book on my desk as I read your comment: Fascination, by Patrick Kindig.
https://lsupress.org/9780807178515/fascination/
The synchronicity continues!
Terrific piece, Lisa, and incredibly relevant to many of my own experiences. Someone once told me that there are no such things as coincidences. They’re simply winks from above (whatever you believe your “above” is.) I love when they happen! Happy Holidays to you, and may your year to come be filled with even more winks and happy surprises.
Thank you, Stacey! And thanks for providing me with the image of winks from the universe--that's exactly what they feel like! Glad to know you experience them too.
Lovely!
Thank you, Peter!
I loved this so much.
Thank you!
“central European vulcanology” 😂😂😂 Thanks for the pc and wishing you a very lovely holidays! 🎄🎅🏻🎄😘😘
Ah, did it arrive? That was fast!
It's always a pleasure reading you, Lisa! (Big fan of "random signs from the Universe" here :)
Happy Holidays!
Thank you, Agnese. And cheers to random signs from the universe; I hope your 2026 is full of them!
I always wonder these things too! I’m so sorry I missed realising you were in the Cotswolds til it was too late… I would have joined you! But glad your birthday worked out well in the end!
That would have been so lovely--and if not synchronicity, then at least a bit of welcome serendipity!
Next time! Or maybe we’ll synchronise in France 🤞🏻☺️
Fingers crossed!