Random Not Random

Last Saturday I received a “random” text message from my friend Fabian asking me to come into Manhattan on Monday for a mural painting at the New York City Rescue Mission. If you know me, then you know I don’t believe in random. I don’t believe in coincidences. I believe in Synchronicities. I believe that for those who care to see, life reveals clues, insights, signs, symbols, warnings, and opportunities. As Monarch Butterflies know to migrate to Mexico in the winter, I know to walk through a Door when one has opened before me. When I accepted my friend’s invitation, I wasn’t sure exactly what I was in for, but I knew that it was too random to be random.

When I arrived, I found Fabian and naively asked, “Should I just hang out and watch?” “Watch?” he said with a bemused expression upon his face, “ Grab a paintbrush and help us out with the mural. You can be on the crack team.” “Crack Team?” I exclaimed, with the bemused expression now upon my face, “What are you talking about?” Laughing, he explained to me the theme of the mural. “It’s based on the quote, ‘Home is where the story begins,’” he said, “So what we’re doing is painting a sky around the walls of this staircase. In the sky we’re putting books, quotes, and loose pages to signify the beginnings of stories. Then we’re outlining the sky in black, painting cracks as we go along to create the effect of the walls crumbling away and revealing endless possibilities. You can help outline and create cracks.”

I was nervous. Admittedly, this wasn’t my first mural painting. Once or twice while I was in school, an artist came to paint a mural with the students. But still, when I grabbed the brush, I was hoping I wouldn’t somehow make a fool out of myself or ruin the project. As I painted, I realized that I absolutely could not work on the more detailed portions of the mural, but outlining in black I could handle. Though I didn’t exactly expect to be painting, part of me felt a certain sense of relief to do so. I forgot how happy it makes me feel when I know I am volunteering my time to help my fellow conscious perceivers. The fact that it was a homeless shelter was like the cherry on top. I love cherries. And I love to help the homeless. I always donate money when I can. I’m not sure why, but the idea of being homeless has always struck a cord with me. One of my greatest fears in life is loneliness. Being Alone. I imagine that when one becomes homeless, he is alone. He has no friend to shelter him. If he is sick, no one is going to make him chicken noodle soup. If that was me on the street living in a box- no matter what I had done to get there- I know I would still hope that someone would care about me. So when I have the chance, I am happy to be one who cares.

As I painted, I talked to people as well as listened to some of the conversations around me. To my pleasant surprise, I realized that I felt not only comfortable, but relaxed and in place around these people. In one conversation, I learned that a bunch of the people who were working on the mural had read some of my favorite books – The Alchemist, The Celestine Prophecy, The Secret, and The Four Agreements. These books center on achieving happiness through control and understanding of one’s self. They seek to promote inner growth through introspection, reflection, and meditation. I’ve noticed that I typically get along well with people who are attracted to these types of books and this case was no exception. I ended up talking to people about yoga, art, spirituality, meditation, energy, creativity, perspective on and meaning of life – all of my favorite topics to talk about. I also learned that my friend and this group of thirteen people I was painting with were part of an Advanced Leadership Program. The program focuses on building leadership skills through involved participation with and coordination of service projects for the community. At the completion of each program, the group is expected to leave behind a “Legacy Project” or in other words, a lasting positive imprint on the community. For this group, the mural was the Legacy Project. 

On Wednesday, I returned for the ribbon cutting celebration ceremony to honor the completion of the mural. I sat down in a row of chairs amongst the group, the people who help run the Mission, and the people who frequent the Mission for food and shelter. There was a certain beauty in all of these people joined together around not only this mural, but around the concept of helping one another, spreading generosity, positivity, and compassion. Between the leadership program and the Mission, there were a few speeches, and in each, I experienced a tangible sensation of authentic appreciation. The painters were as glad to have the opportunity to paint the wall as the directors of the Mission were to have their wall painted for free. Listening to people go back and forth, showering one another with gratitude, I was inspired. I haven’t signed myself up for the next leadership program just yet, but I have made a decision. For the rest of my life I will continue to engage in charity, remembering that despite sometimes feeling as though it’s difficult to break my routine with something random, when I go out of my way to help other people, I feel as though I have achieved greatness within my life.

This week, let’s meditate on the concept of “random not random.” Consider that when there is a brief window of opportunity within the prison of repetition that is your daily routine, perhaps it is not a random coincidence to be dismissed. Consider that perhaps not only are these little opportunities not random, but also that they may be doorways to happiness, inspiration, and new experiences. It’s the idea that there might be more than meets the eye to the notion of “going with the flow.” It’s the idea that we live not in a random mathematical anomaly, but rather in a coordinated divine theatre that guides us through unique experiences that expand our minds and evolve our souls. It’s the idea that all we must do to awaken to this world of clues, insights, signs, symbols, warnings, and opportunities, is to allow room for the unexpected and synchronistic. When we create thick repetitive patterns and schedules, we lock ourselves into our current realm of experiences. While a schedule may be important, it is equally as important to leave yourself time to be free, inspired, and creative. Don’t force it. Don’t search too hard or you may scare the magic away. But relax, sit back, and keep your eyes and your mind open, and you will realize the synchronicities opening your world to new experiences before you. 

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