The Symmetry of Every Second…so Cool!

“Synchronicity is an ever present reality for those how have eyes to see.”
– Carl Jung, psychiatrist

 

“He specialized in imported cars, not domestics.”

Gannon arrived angry and confused.  He was a former client from many years ago.   It had been over ten years since we had crossed paths.  Gannon was now just turning 58 years of age, sporting a short, trimmed beard which matched his curly grey hair. He was a man of small but of strong stature and full of enthusiasm.

Gannon had married his high school sweetheart, Gilda, and they had two children, and now, four grandchildren. And, they, were the focus of much of their personal time and resources.

Gannon was a successful businessman with many years of experience. He had been operating a successful, five-bay, auto-mechanic, repair shop.  He specialized in imported cars, not domestics. He said, many of his competitors still shunned the imports because parts were often more expensive and harder to find.

His reputation was solid. He focused on customer satisfaction and hiring staff who were skilled, adaptable and loyal.  Many had been with him for many years. His business had grown slowly but steadily. He had frequent new referrals from his existing customers.  He had even obtained some fleet maintenance work with local car rental companies.

 

“I have this dream of building a …”

When I asked him how I might serve him, he replied,

“I’m not sure really.   I have been using the natural laws for many years now since I learned them when I first came to see you when Gilda and I were struggling in our marriage.  What we learned changed so many things in our life.”

“Well, as I recall, you were both very committed to building a future together, and you also, both worked hard at learning how to build a healthy relationship.” I reminded him.

“Yes, that’s true, Ken!  And, we have done well. We are enjoying good health, have a lovely family and appreciate the life we have built.” he replied with a half smile.

“So, what is going on that brought you here today, Gannon?”

Gannon sat forward in his chair and beaming with purpose, said,

“Ken, I have this dream of building a new facility for my business…a ten-bay “Automotive Centre’ that is cutting edge in terms of its design, customer service and professionalism.  It will set a new standard of service for the industry in this province. It is to be efficient, attractive and cost effective for both the customer and me…its owner!”

“It sounds like an exciting idea.  How far are you on your path to your dream?”

 

“Wisdom is looking back at your life and realizing that every single event, person, place and idea was part of the perfected experience you needed to build your dream. Not one was a mistake.” – John F. Demartini. polymath

 

 

“In one, single morning everything fell apart!”

“Ken, I have been working on it for at least five years.  I have my business plan completed, met with my bankers, have my blueprints in place and was ready to start construction.”

“What happened, Gannon?”

“In one, single morning everything fell apart!   My builder, and his architect left the project for a bigger one, my banker bumped the interest rate on my loan by 3 % and I lost a large fleet contract to one of my competitors.   And, if that wasn’t enough, one of my oldest, most experienced employees went out on extended sick leave and will need to be replaced immediately.”

“This all happened in one morning?”  I said with disbelief in my voice.

“Ken, it all happened before 11 AM last Thursday!  And, I seem to be blind to the benefits, the symmetry…the balance…the synchronicity…that natural law I learned here and believe…totally.  I just don’t see it and that’s why I called you.” he said, his dismay displayed as he slunk into his chair.

 

“I really felt both blindsided and…betrayed.”

“Gannon, do you remember we discussed ‘blind spots’…how we each have a unique value system, which are like a set of blinders.  So, we can miss things that fall outside those blinders?”

“I vaguely remember we discussed this when Gilda and I were here discussing our relationship.” he said.

“It may be that you have been so focused on one side of your dream that you have been blindsided by other aspects which need your attention, Gannon.”

“Can you give me an example, Ken?”

“Let’s take one aspect of your list of events which all occurred that morning.  Which one upsets you the most?”

Gannon paused only briefly before saying,

“Getting dumped by the builder at this point in the project really pissed me off.  I really felt both blindsided and…betrayed. I had spent a whole year working with him and his staff.  I thought he was as committed as I was!”

“Gannon, go to the second you found out.  Where were you at that second, who were you with and when did it occur?”

“I was sitting in Tim Horton’s by myself having a coffee and answering some emails.  It was last Tuesday at lunch time. I remember because it was really busy that day.”

 

 

“He said he was committed but didn’t seem as involved as I was!”

“Now, close your eyes for a minute and go inside your head to that second when you read his email.  What went through your mind at the very same second he told you he was leaving your project?”

Gannon sat back again in his chair and closed his eyes.

“I was trying one of those new lattes…I remember it was very sweet.  I was reading his message. He said another opportunity came up he couldn’t pass up…very apologetic…but needed to ‘seize it for his future’…something like that!”

“OK!   Just imagine freezing that memory at that very second…like it’s a video!   Now, what else did you think as you read his message…that was an advantage or benefit to you…perhaps a source of relief or comfort to you?”

Gannon was quiet for a bit then he said, slowly,

“Ken, he was often late for our meetings and seemed distracted at times…like his attention wasn’t fully only me or my project…do you know what I mean?”

“It sounds like you had doubts about him being present and fully devoting his time and energy to your project.  Is that what you mean, Gannon?”

“Yes, that’s it exactly!  He said he was committed but didn’t seem as involved as I was!  Does that make sense?”

“It does to me, Gannon.  Your project is your dream and you want the people working on it that are as committed to it as you are, so you can make it happen.”

 

“There are no mistakes, only opportunities to see the perfect order in our 13.8 billion year old universe.”  – King Ayles, writer

 

 

“I have no time for second best!”

“Yes, he wasn’t as excited and that threw me off sometimes …and I just tried to ignore it.”

“So, is it a genuine advantage for you to know this now and have him leave the project?” I asked Gannon, to see if he was starting to see some light at the end of the dark tunnel of his current perception of his situation.

“Ken, I know this is my dream and no one else’s!  But, I need the key people working on it, to believe in it and be willing to give it their full attention.  Otherwise, it won’t happen in the way I want. This project is cutting edge and my credibility and the reputation of my business is on the line here.  I have no time for second best!” he said emphatically.

“That sounds very important!   What is another advantage you receive from the situation?”

He paused briefly before saying,

“I get a new opportunity to adjust the blue prints with my next architect.  The plans we have been using weren’t quite exactly what I wanted. I was talked out of another service bay by his architect, Gail.  But now, I can revisit that idea.”

“Another benefit?”  I asked, knowing the balance law demands equilibration.

“Ken, I realize I’m the only person who can make my dream a reality.  The other people who work with me on it are there for their own reasons, not my reasons.  I think, looking back now, I was naive to expect him to be as committed as I was.

“Does that suggest a useful insight for you, Gannon?”

“I just realized, no one can be committed to my dream but me, because they have their own dreams…which is what my builder is doing by taking this opportunity he sees.   I can’t really fault him for being just like me, eh?” he said with a small smile.

“Another benefit Gannon?”

“It actually drives me to be even more determined to achieve my dream.  It’s like…at first, I was thinking all these challenges were IN the way of me getting to my plan.  But, now, seeing the opportunities in this crisis, I see them as ON the way, instead. I just have to find a way around them!”

“You really sound more determined and OK now, Gannon!”

“I am!   Thanks Ken!   That symmetry was there all the time, wasn’t it?  I just wasn’t looking carefully enough! I will in future!”

“In every moment, the Universe is whispering to you. You’re constantly surrounded by signs, coincidences, and synchronicities, all aimed at propelling you in the direction of your destiny.” – Denise Linn, author