I remember asking this like three years ago, but thought I'd ask it again...

Are you one who believes there are no such things as coincidences? That moments have a purpose and connection, even if we don't recognize them (or even purposefully ignore them)? In addition, do you think the Universe/Life/God (take your pick) "teaches" you the same lessons over and over again until you learn them?

Or are you one who thinks pretty much things all happen randomly, with no purpose or connection other than what we individually choose to give them for our own specific needs?

Byron said:

Nope. Totally random with no real purpose. We just read into things.

I do believe in random coincidences. I think that the choices we make propel us to the random circumstances. But those coincidences are not in our control, only the choices we make.

FOr instance..

I may choose to go to an event that has a bunch of other musical types like myself. While it could be a coincidence that someone there has heard my music, that coincidence is very small when compared to the fact that I meet someone there who's band name is almost exactly the same as mine. Or who is from the same town as me.

superspaceboy said:

So you wouldn't think that maybe somehow you were meant to meet someone with an almost identical band name or who is from the same town?

I'm not sure meeting someone who has heard your music before would be considered a "coincidence" in my eyes, because you're purposefully trying to get people to listen to your music. I would view that more as a success than a coincidence.

i believe in a thing called..

just listen to the rhythm of heart

Very strange coincidences have happened in my life that if it had been a movie I would have just laughed at the absurd storyline. So that made it hard for me to believe that they were just coincidences but didn't have a purpose although I never figured out which one (yet).

Byron said:

bingo!

I think we can find a lesson and/or learn something from everything, sure. But that's not why things happen to us. No grand plan. It's all random.

i find the whole idea of believing in anything ridiculous.

its true or false
fact or fiction

I believe in serendipity

does that matter at all ?

Serious said:

I've gone thru similar things ...

Actually, there was a period of, maybe, 8 months or longer where I told myself that there ARE no coincidences, that everything happens for a reason...and then I spent all my time trying to figure out what God/Life/The Universe (again, take your pick lol) was trying to communicate to me. The cool thing about that was, I ended up having my life go in a FAR more peaceful manner than almost any other part of my life, it truly helped keep me sane during some very dark emotional moments...I felt as if I "understood" things better, and was making better decisions in my Life.

Mach said:

What exactly is serendipity? lol ..

Byron said:

Serendipity
The faculty of making fortunate discoveries by accident.
The fact or occurrence of such discoveries.
An instance of making such a discovery.

Looking for something, find something else, and realize that what you've found is more suited to your needs than what you thought you were looking for

The faculty of finding things we did not know we were looking for

The effect by which one accidentally discovers something fortunate, especially while looking for something else entirely.

Mach said:

And here I thought it was just a stupid movie.

Anyway

I believe that some things may be coincidence and some may not

I often like to look at both sides of the coin and leave the door open for the experience of both

I mean what the heck ya know ... life is short, play hard

JustErin said:

There is a movie ?

JustErin said:

Is that the John Cusak movie??

Mach said:

I definitely believe in this ...

Byron said:

Yes, but I haven't actually seen it. I just know it's stupid.

Byron said:

The "coincidences" that happened mostly took place within a period of 2 years and then they suddenly stopped. It changed my outlook on life as I was reminded that I cannot always influence things the way I'd like to, but just have to accept life as it happens. So it made me more patient and balanced.

no. i believe all things work in accordance with a law that is beyond man's (full) understanding. meaning we can catch enough of a glimpse to ponder coincidence and choose what we believe has greater meaning, but we can never fully grasp it (the law).

SirPsycho said:

at least not at our current state of consciousness/existance

i believe in strawberry shortcake

I believe that it's all entirely random; that there's no rhyme or reason to anything (including the existence of "The Universe" itself) and that, when we die, we cease to exist in any way, shape or form - unless you count a void of complete and utter nothingness as something (which I suppose you could, but do we really want to waste time on semantics?).

Other than citing religious texts (), what reason could we possibly have for believing otherwise?

I believe that some things in life happen randomly and some moments in life are too amazing to be coincidence.
As for the universe/life/god 'teaching' repeated lessons until you learn it.....I'm not sure we get that many chances at most things.

In regard to serendipity...oh, hell yeah....it's the best!

I prefer to keep my life open to whatever comes my way.

pearle said:

Me too ...

As I get older, I'm more inclined to believe more in coincidences than signs.

JustErin said:

Only the ungifted believe that.

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

really?
i don't 'believe' in anything. but i'm quite gifted at making things happen.

horatio said:

I was identified as "gifted and talented" when I was in school. And yet I don't believe anything either.