Is anything really random?

I saw an e-harmony commercial today where two people are talking about how great it is that they found each other, and then the guy drops down and proposes to his gal - right in the middle of the commercial. I think it's wonderful. Technology has totally changed the way we date, make friends, and even fall in love. But what would these two people have done 15 years ago, before e-harmonizers were even thinking about harmonizing? We'll call it "pre-harmony." lol. Just cracked myself up.

If it's fate, then we believe they would have met anyway, right? Walked past each other in an airport? Sat next to each other in a movie? Bumped into each other in a crowded restaurant? How would they have known? And how can you ever be sure you're in the right place at the right time?

What I've been wondering about lately is this: Are there really any accidents? Is something serendipitous really just coincidental? Is anything really random, or could there really a purpose for everything that happens to us? Any and everyone we meet? Is there a reason that you meet certain people, re-acquaint with old friends, and have the opportunity to connect with others who could change your life - every day and in the strangest of ways?

And then I think: How many wonderful opportunities pass us by every single day because we're not tuned in? This world is just FULL of people who could change your life for the better. But we get busy. We get in a hurry. We get caught up in our own stuff and forget that others share this existence, too. Or we just don't care. The most interesting people around are the ones who are the easiest to ignore. Or the ones we hurry past.

Mark, my Thirstbuster Guy at the local Circle K is one of my favorite people around. But every day as I fill up my T-buster (the 64-ouncer, of course. I'm no sissy!) I hear people bark orders at him, talk on their cell phones as he rings them up, and ignore his pleas to "Have a great day!" He must get tired of saying that to people who are determined to have a crappy day, and dismiss him. But he still says it - to every customer - every day. Danielle, my local Walgreens manager, is hilarious as all get-out. And she plays concert piano. And just got engaged. Who wouldn't find that fascinating? Pancho, the owner of my favorite sushi restaurant, knows me (and most of his regulars) by name, and has a special birthday ceremony for people celebrating their happy occasion in his place. All the lights go down, a disco ball lights up, and as the staff gathers around the giggling recipient, Pancho throws poppers full of confetti at them, all while singing a horrid Japanese rendition of Happy happy birthday, happy happy day day! I just love Pancho. He is actually Korean, and speaks 4 languages. His Spanish is better than his English. I feel sorry for people who don't know how cool he really is, and think he's just a guy who makes sushi.

I know the most fabulous people. I really do. The people I know are the most interesting, dynamic, weird and quirky folks in the world. They make my life fun. And just when I think I couldn't possibly meet anyone else as interesting, I meet Danielle, or Mark, or Pancho, or the insurance guy next door, or my Citicorps guy from Virginia.

I find people's stories fascinating. Think about it. Every single person you see today has a whole story. A challenge. A problem or two. A strange talent (mine is writing backwards). A story of heartbreak. A funniest moment. And some way to touch and change your life. Even in the smallest of ways.

Gonna go now. There are all sorts of cool people out there for me to meet. Maybe you're one of them?