This week, five planets will align across the night sky. We might even be lucky enough to see it if the clouds can steer clear long enough. That seems to be a big IF these days with what seems like a never-ending winter.
As I read about this planetary parade, it got me thinking about that common idiom - when the stars align.
That magic moment when all the pieces come together, when everything lines up, when the stars align.
Is it luck? Good timing?
I actually think it might be something else entirely.
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THE MAGIC
Last week, I shared about the ‘messy middle’ - that phase in any creative project or transformational process when things get messy.
Even the best-laid plans can’t prevent that moment of total chaos that always emerges somewhere along the way. A lot of times we think it’s the end of something - when actually, you’re just in the middle.
Apparently, that post struck a chord. That happens a lot here at The LIFT.
I sit down every Wednesday to a blank page + share what’s floating around in my world. Then, on Sunday, when it posts here, it somehow magically relates to something in your life, too.
A friend asked me this week:
“Your message in The LIFT is always exactly what I need to hear. How do you do that?”
I LOVE hearing that! It’s like seeing the stars align because, believe me, there are some messy moments in writing these posts, too.
The connection we have here seems magical because we think we are separate - living in different places, different stages of life + different circumstances.
When actually, we are all connected - extensions of the same oneness.
Over the years, as a writer, I have experienced this phenomenon SO many times. I write something + then, everywhere I go I see that same message.
For example, this week, I can’t even tell you how many times I saw the words ‘messy middle’ used in articles + posts. It’s like we’re all tapping into the same vibe.
I hear this sameness in lyrics + music. Two different artists will release songs with similar themes around the same time using similar words. The most recent example I noticed of this is Jason Mraz’s new song, “I feel like dancing” showing up alongside Pink’s new song, “Never gonna not dance again”. Apparently, coming out of this pandemic, we all need a little ‘pop and lock’.
The point is, we are all just different expressions of the same life force.
We get a little confused sometimes + think we are ‘the only ones’. All alone. But, if we take a moment to zoom out, we can see how the stars align.
THE MYSTERY
Speaking of stars, I recently enjoyed a family afternoon celebrating my dad’s birthday. I met my now ‘dad’ when I was about 17, which means he was about the age I am now when we first met.
For a while that afternoon, our family gathered around him in the living room + asked him for advice, wisdom + stories.
I shared my realization that he must have been in his early 50s, close to my age, when we first met. I wondered if there was anything he wished he had known back then - anything he would have done differently or wanted his 54-year-old self to know.
I loved his answer.
He talked for a bit about how he wouldn’t have any advice. He went on to say that the best things that have ever happened in his life, happened quite by surprise. A chance encounter. An unexpected turn. They were always things he never could have planned or orchestrated.
As I looked around the living room at our family - there we were. A group of people brought together by chance.
As I thought about my own life, I realized the truth of that even further. All of the best things in my life have been unplanned. It’s been a series of unfolding events + circumstances. Stuff that emerged from the messy middle. Stuff that began from what seemed like the end.
I’ll bet that’s true for you, too.
How do I know?
Because here we are + nothing is as messy as it seems. Just check the stars.
YOUR MISSION:
This week, I invite you to remember one of those pivotal life moments - a chance encounter that changed the trajectory of your life, an ending that became a beginning, a magical moment when the stars aligned. Amazing, right?
Doesn’t that make you just wonder - what’s next?
RESOURCES:
LISTEN: Never Gonna Not Dance Again | Pink
LISTEN: I Feel Like Dancing | Jason Mraz
IN SUMMARY:
All of the plants at our place are sprouting new leaves. The planets are aligning in the sky. I say we get ready for a great week ahead - full of magic + mystery, but also full of connection + alignment. Thank you so much for meeting me here as we kick it off! Before you go, hit the ‘like’ button so I know you stopped by or leave a comment or drop me a line.
See you next week?
Thanks for reading The LIFT! Subscribe for free below + I’ll see you next Sunday!
Meanwhile - you can read thru the archives here. And, please reach out to me anytime!
Email: karen@becounter.com
Instagram: @redefiningkaren
My magical moment. We had an opening in our isstrict office. Your Mom walked in and filled the room with her positive personality. Five years later we were married! I’m still amazed, and grateful!
Mission accepted! Thanks, Karen!
Great newsletter as always!