Mere coincidences much?
They say you get one chance for a few things, a second chance for fewer things, a third chance for even fewer things, and a fourth chance at almost nothing. In all unfairness, we are bound to miss the shots we don’t bother to take. General wisdom tells us that we must try our best to check out new zones—away from our comfort, preferably—and nod to opportunities that will drag us into newer realms. It’s only when we step out, that we step in. Otherwise, we are made to believe that this is it. Small world, for real. Newer places, newer people, newer challenges and newer learnings are the symptom of a fulfilling existence. Of course, it’s perfectly alright to choose a comfort zone for yourself. There is no shame in prioritizing your peace of mind over everything else. But, even then, your decision to stay rooted becomes a matter of chance.
Which brings us to the chief guest of this blogpost: coincidence. Or coincidences, to be precise. They happen. Nobody knows why though. If you think about it, almost all of your life events have something to do with this C-word. There is no design in place for any of its prime functions. Chances are you met your best friend 13 years ago by a mere coincidence. Could be true for your spouse as well as for several episodes on your professional front. Met someone just like that and things changed for you, etc. The very fact that you ended up taking birth, out of a trillion other possibilities, is unarguably the greatest coincidence of all time.
To put it poetically, we are all connected in some ways. A carnival of sorts where we are all alive at the same time. And the light in me cares about the light in you. What connects us is a momentary flick of coincidence: being at the right time at the right place within the right circumstance(s).
Yes, it goes without saying that some things can definitely be planned. A vacation, for instance. But what unfolds during the vacation loosely depends on how we look at life in general: basically what I mentioned in the first paragraph above. You will get some things on platter but that’s not going to be all. There are always going to be moments where your will shall decide your way forward (or back). And then the magic takes place.
Over the years, I’ve listed down instances where it felt like the coincidences are anything but that. It felt like there is a mad design to all of it. See if you agree with me below or not.
It's no mere coincidence that the word shithousery goes very well with club football and nothing else.
It’s no mere coincidence that nuance sounds a lot like ‘new ones’.
It’s no mere coincidence almost everybody feels that they are somehow treated unfairly by others.
No mere coincidence why gun and truth don't go hand-in-hand.
It's no mere coincidence that prophet and profit sound alike.
It's no mere coincidence why the things we take for granted are often the ones to be snatched away from us.
It's no mere coincidence that there's a lie in life.
It's no mere coincidence that they start teaching you geometry just when puberty is busy hitting on you.
It's no mere coincidence you feel sleepy whenever you mind your own business.
It's no mere coincidence there's a worry in slavery.
It’s no mere coincidence that everybody cheats but only YOU get caught.
It’s no mere coincidence that Carlos Slim was 73 when he was worth $73 billion.
It’s no mere coincidence that the crazies usually make all the difference.
It’s no mere coincidence that the expression ‘take it from me’ is mostly used by some of the worst misers.
It’s no mere coincidence that finding goodness in a person ain’t as easy as pointing out flaws.
It’s no mere coincidence that we seldom bother to remember those who made us laugh.
It’s no mere coincidence that words of wisdom always sound better when they are flowing out of YOUR mouth.
It’s no mere coincidence that all the unrated folks find their rated counterparts overrated.
It’s no mere coincidence that the peers we like are pretty similar to us.
It’s no mere coincidence that the term ‘committed’ is often followed by ‘suicide’.
It’s no mere coincidence that the word ‘office’ never followed ‘enjoy’ ever.
It’s no mere coincidence that although I’ve got nothing new to say, you are still reading.