What If We're Here to Connect the Dots?

Steve Jobs said, “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards.”

Steve Jobs was brilliant. And I disagree with him on this.

I think we CAN connect the dots forward. In fact, I think that's what creativity is.

Remember those “Connect the Dot” coloring books we had when we were growing up? Each page had numbered dots that seemed random, but when you drew a line between the dots, a picture emerged that suddenly made sense. Voila! It’s a cat! It's a car!

I believe the same thing happens in life when we keep our antenna up for intuitive dots - what Rumi called "the voice that doesn't use words."

Whenever we get an urge to write THIS down, to reach out to THIS individual, to take action on THAT opportunity, we are supposed to honor that instinct.

When we do, we co-create our kismet and set up a 1 + 1 = 11 synchronicity.

We’re supposed to act on “dot thoughts” even if they don’t make sense.

Especially if they don’t make sense.

Because “dot thoughts” aren't coming from logic, they’re coming from, well, call them what you want. God winks. The Universe. Divine guidance. Intuition. Hunches. The Muse.

Dot thoughts are stepping stones to a life where the light is on in our eyes because we’re connecting with - and collaborating with - congruent individuals and activities.

We’re not in this alone.

It’s hubris to think we’re the only ones creating and controlling our destiny. Here’s what crystallized my clarity about this.

I was watching a TV interview with the author of The Gift of Fear, Gavin de Becker, who is security consultant for high-profile CEO's, politicians, celebrities.

The reporter asked what he'd learned that was surprising. De Becker said he debriefs clients who get assaulted or kidnapped. His first question is, “Did you have any warning?”

Guess what they all say? “I knew something was wrong.”

But they looked around and their rational mind said, “It’s broad daylight. I’m in an armored car with bodyguards. I'm being paranoid," and ignored the sixth sense that was trying to warn them. They let their intellect over-rule their instincts.

I had an epiphany.

If we have instincts that alert us when something’s about to go WRONG, don't we also have instincts that alert us when something’s about to go RIGHT?

If we have a sixth sense that alerts us to dissonance, don’t we also have a sixth sense that alerts us to resonance?

I've come to understand our instincts have our best interests at heart.

Just as our intuition warns us of dangerous individuals and activities, it also warms us to congruent individuals and activities.

Who knows exactly how or why this happens, all we have to do is accept that it does and pay attention to nudges that are trying to get our attention.

This is especially important when making important decisions. If your instincts are warning you something is "off" about this person or situation, trust what your gut is telling you.

As Maya Angelou said, "When someone shows who they are, believe them the first time."

Do yourself a favor. Say no thank you and head the other direction if you want to save yourself a lot of grief.

On the other hand, if there is a whisper in your ear to say YES to this individual or opportunity, understand it is in alignment with your values and vision.

Chances are good this choice will move your life forward for good.

That's not just my opinion.

Einstein said, "The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift."

Starting today, honor the dot thoughts and the intuitive nudges that are trying to serve you.

Remember, creativity is simply connecting new dots in new ways.

Synchronicity is connecting congruent dots when they come our way.

Doing this creates a "rising tide raising all involved" ripple effect where life just keeps getting better and better because you're cooperating with it instead of trying to control it.

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Want more insights like this? Check out Sam's SOMEDAY is Not a Day in the Week book.