Chance encounters play a prominent role in every single human life. Whether we realize it or not, they happen every day. You can bump into a stranger almost anywhere to spark a conversation. From the grocery store to a local coffee shop and anything in between. You're bound to meet someone new wherever you travel. The possibilities are endless. By definition, a "chance encounter" is an unexpected, surprise meeting that happens by chance. It's common for people to just brush these moments off or erase them from their memories in the blink of an eye.
But, have you ever stopped to think that maybe these accidental encounters aren't really accidents at all? People are meant to cross paths for a reason. Some may even call it fate. Whether that be falling in love at first sight, meeting someone who gives you hope when you're lost, finding a soul who shares your same struggles, or someone who emanates the person you aspire to be in the future. Basically, what I'm trying to say is that chance encounters come in many forms and that you should be open to them whenever the opportunity presents itself.
I've always been the type of person that never really thought about the significance of chance encounters. I just always thought they happened and that was that. But, after really thinking about it, some of the greatest moments of my life happened due to chance. I'm sure each of you could say the same.
Just the other day, I was minding my own business at my summer job. Let me tell you that being a hostess at an outdoor restaurant in the heat of the day is exhausting. Time goes by slower than you can imagine. A really nice old man walked into our outdoor bar where I was standing to cool off. On a break from working on his boat, he ordered a beer and began to talk to the bartender and I.
He asked each of us about our lives and our career aspirations among other things. He told us about how he was an Air Force veteran and that he is a retired airline pilot. He told me all about his different adventures around the world and the truly incredible things he has gotten to be a part of in his 74 years on this earth. His friendly smile and storytelling reminded me a lot of my grandfather who we lost to cancer a few years ago. I don't know why or how, but it made me smile.
I went on to tell him about how I was still unsure of what I wanted to be when I grow up... even though I'm an adult. He laughed. I told him maybe journalism and that I wanted to live in New York or Los Angeles. I explained that it was my dream job, but I know that the reality is that I have to find what's available. He stopped me mid-sentence and explained that no dream is ever too big. He said: "Whatever you choose to do with your life, give it your all. Go for it, and don't look back. Amazing things are waiting for people who aren't afraid to take risks." We talked for quite some time about all sorts of things, but that advice stuck to me like glue. Before he left, he tapped me on the shoulder and said: "You're way smarter than I ever was. Look what I've done and think about all the endless possibilities for yourself. Chase that dream."
For the rest of the day, all I could think about was how remarkable that chance encounter was. No one could've ever predicted that our paths would cross. I just thought it was going to be another conversation about not knowing what I wanted to do with my life and someone else simply telling me that I'll figure it out. Sure, I may not have life all figured out yet. Yes, that's pretty damn scary. But, this worldly old man gave me hope and a fearless outlook on the future that I've never had before. At just the right moment in my life, this conversation occurred and I don't see that being an accident at all. Bring it on big wide world, I'm ready for you!
