I’m a giant reader of Jung and one of the things I’ve been studying is his insight on synchronicity. I also had the opportunity to read “There Are No Accidents: Synchronicity and the Stories of Our Lives” by Robert Hopcke. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. (Not a client book!)
In his book, Hopcke (a therapist) says people ask him, “How do you work with synchronicity?” and he answers, “Be open to the meaning in what you did not want to happen.”
How does this apply to social media? I think it does beautifully because if there is one thing I know about social media it is that you never know what might happen and you can not underestimate the power of being online and finding new synchronistic communities and readers.
I might say, “”Be open to the meaning in what you do not yet know will happen in social media.” Stop being afraid of what might or might not happen and just start conversing online.
If you come from a place of reticence, fear and “i’m not enough-ness” online then synchronicity will be hard fought. If you choose to be open to all that CAN and will surely happen if you are participating on the Web, then BELIEVE me you will be constantly amazed at how the Web really works to connect people to their tribe.
It’s not about marketing your ideas, it’s about empowering your community and finding synchronicity between them and you and what can be done to change the world.
It’s not about celebrity. It’s about celebrating how uniquely gifted all of us are and how we can lift up one another.
It’s not about bait and switch and selling something you know is not the real deal. It’s about waking up and typing your heart out because you know in doing that you are doing good.
Every single person on the Web counts toward something greater and at the end of the day, why not be counted?
You matter to the Web. I hope to see you there in the new year.
{ 1 trackback }
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
I just read that you’ve interviewed Salman Rushdie and Ben Stein—too cool!
I too have read Jung and am familiar with his theory of synchronicity. I also have Hopcke’s book. And I’ve written a book myself on what I refer to as an extreme form of synchronicity. But I have yet to figure out social media! So I will take to heart your comment about being open to the meaning of what I don’t yet know will happen in social media.
Nettie, I so agree with you. I have found information and opportunities that I was not looking that have enhanced my life.
I now see social media as an international playground where you can choose to play a specific game, or wander around watching or learning, and seeing what happens next.
Hi Robert,
thanks for the comment. I love Hopcke’s book and good to hear you’re writing on it too!
Nettie
Reading “Make Your Contacts Count” by Anne Baber and Lynne Waymon really clarified for me what networking can be. It helped me learn how to focus more on serving the people I know, and not worrying so much about how to get what I want directly. I’m trying to build my personal site with that always in mind.
Social media, Twitter in particular, seems to be a little more difficult for me to grasp. I try to respond to those I follow, and search for tweets seeking info and help that I could provide. I hope these things, done over time, expand my community. I’m not really sure what else I can do.
I look forward to continued reading through your archives. If you have any other ideas on how to empower my twitter community and celebrate their uniqueness, I’m all ears!
Thanks!
Hi Eric
Thanks so much for taking time to comment and read the blog. i’m so glad it’s helpful to you and feel free to send questions on too!
Nettie
I also recommend Hopke’s book. Lots of interesting stories and grist for the mill.
Synchronicity is a fascinating subject. There’s a new forum being creating for discussing it, so please consider joining and posting your thoughts on there:
http://synchronicityfilm.com/forum/
I love Hopke’s book! I’ve tried to reach out to him for an interview, but so far no response. Think it is amazing book.