Musings: #Touch, Connections, and the Branching Paths of Life
Are you familiar with a tv show called Touch? It’s about a little boy who has a talent for making connections between people who need to be connected in one way or another. The show is really inspiring, perhaps in part because of the themes: that everything and everyone is interconnected, and each person is a part of something much bigger than themselves.
Sometimes you can see the paths of life moving and changing around you in your own life; though mostly in hindsight. A lot of people I know are facing big changes in their lives at the moment. I feel like a lot of branching paths are opening up for people, and depending on what path they take, their lives might quickly change into something completely different.
It’s interesting looking back on some of the paths people have taken, and seeing how that one single decision changed everything. For example, a number of years ago, I helped a former coworker find a job. He met his wife through that job, and his life would be completely different today had he taken a different path.
I was a recent college graduate with very little actual work experience. I was madly in love with a guy who didn’t know what he wanted. I was naive enough to believe he wanted to be with me. Ultimately, that wasn’t the case, but that’s a different story.
Anyway, the job market was tough, especially for people with very little experience. But I finally found a job, and hoped to save up some money so I could move away to be with the guy. (Hey have you seen the cost of renting a U-haul to travel across the US? Not cheap. Not to mention students loans, car payments, and living expenses for a city with twice the cost of living than where I lived.)
A job that would pay more money opened up at my company. I considered it but then decided not to apply for it because it was an important long-term position, and I didn’t plan to stay in the area that long. However, the job was a good match for a former co-worker who wanted a job closer to his degree field.
At that point I hadn’t spoken to the person since I left my previous company. When I tracked him down, I learned that he was newly jobless. I pointed him in the direction of the job at my company and he got the job based on his own merit. He has done well in the company and his life would be different had he taken another path. A single coincidence changed everything.
Somewhere along the way while I wasn’t looking, my temporary job became a promising career. But my living circumstances changed, and for a while I was living paycheck to paycheck, unable to save anything. Then, I became responsible for my sister and couldn’t really move even if I wanted to. Of course the guy had already moved on, and so eventually did I.
But my decision to work at this company became a huge branch in my life path. So much has changed because of this job. I was in the right place at the right time several times to truly make a difference. I think my life would have been very different had I not worked at this particular company.
Of course with current restructuring in my department, I might be looking for a new job again soon. (Anybody have one?) :)
Last week, I was helping a friend with their resume. My husband thought I was working on mine. When I explained, and mentioned the person’s unique background, he said his company is looking for someone with those skills. I don’t know if this friend will get the job, but I pointed him in its direction.
It was another coincidence with perfect timing to bridge the connection to a new possible path for someone.
For every connection I make, there are hundreds of times that bad timing prevents a connection. But when I do make a connection, I feel like maybe everything I have been through has been worthwhile. Because of this job, I was in the right place at the right time to help several people when they really needed it. I was able to make a difference.
Maybe someday, someone will notice an opportunity perfect for me, and point me in its direction. :)
If you haven’t watched Touch, and like heart-warming coincidences and connections, check it out. Some of the episodes are currently available to watch for free on Hulu.com.
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