Go ahead and blink.

As a CFP®, I am analytical to a fault. I love to crunch numbers and have  all the data  add up before I draw any conclusions.  However, I know some of my best decisions happened in a blink of an eye.

One of the best books I have ever read was “Blink,” The Power of Thinking, Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell.  Mr. Gladwell distinctly writes, “Our unconscious reactions come out of a locked room, and we can’t look inside that room. But with experience we become experts at using our behavior and our training to interpret-and decode-what lies behind our snap judgements and first impressions.”

Malcolm’s “Blink” is right on the money.  I had too many strange coincidences to ignore the signs as I was contemplating a move from Chicago to Westlake Village, CA,  July 2015.

As I wrote in a previous blog, I had the coincidental pleasure of meeting Gregg Vanourek, an inspiring author and professor, just as I was contemplating this move. Read blog at link below.

https://thewhisperwithin.live/2016/09/15/sleepless-to-serendipity/

Greg said, “Lisa the Brave, Lisa the Happy. You need to do this.”  He was the first sign I received that weekend. The signs continued.  I decided to try a few Churches in the area, one in particular, Calvary Community. After the service, I went up to Pastor Shawn and introduced myself.  The conversation went something like this.

“Hi. I am visiting from Chicago and may be looking to move here in the Fall.”

Pastor Shawn reaching out and shaking my hand he said, “Chicago? I was just there last night, a town called Schaumburg.”

I felt the chills up and down my spine, “Schaumburg? Really? That’s where I am from.”

Pastor Shawn looked quizzically at me, “Really? I was there for an Iwana’s conference in Streamwood.”

“Well, thanks for the sermon. I may see you in a few months. We shall see.”

I closed my eyes, slightly nodded my head and walked away knowing I received another confirmation. I spent the remainder of the day looking for a place to live. After viewing rental upon rental, my agent and I were parked in a driveway of the last home. I was exhausted and didn’t even want to go in.I walked into the last place. blink. It just felt right. I knew it was the one.

Later that afternoon, while signing the lease the real estate agent asked, “So tell me about your kids?”

“My daughter is LA at Otis College of Arts in Design and my son is at Purdue.”

She said, “Purdue? My son went there and now he is professor. What is your son studying?”

“Engineering.”

Looking astonished she said, “My son is an Engineer Professor.”

Blink. It happened again. I knew this move was the right decision and being blessed by God. Once all the contracts were signed, I decided to take a drive. Years ago Colorado was on my radar screen to move to since I love the mountains. North Carolina was also a possible destination since I love the beach. Looking in my rear view mirror, I saw the Santa Monica Mountains, in front to me I saw the crystal sands and the turquoise waves  in Malibu calling me, calling me home.  Tears ran down my face as I realized God knew me better than I knew myself. He gave me both the mountains AND the beach. It has been worth the journey seeing this is what God had planned for me, after being a single mom for almost fifteen years.

Amazingly, the following week my home in Chicago sold. A few weeks later as the moving company was packing up my belongings one of the movers commented, “Well, don’t worry .Rob told us to take good care of you.”

Looking puzzled, “Rob?”

The mover confirmed, ” Yes, Rob . He said he was your ex’s roommate in college.”

Blink. Unknown to me  the President of the moving company that I hired was not only a fellow Leatherneck, WIU alumni, but my ex’s roommate who I spent a lot of  time with my Senior year. Another sign God was orchestrating this plan. Proverbs 20:24″ Since the Lord is directing our steps why try to understand everything that happens along the way?”

With a Blink of an Eye…everything changed.

The power of “Blink” was overwhelming or as I like to call it the whisper within.

So in career, life, and maybe even in love trust your “blink” instincts. Have you experienced a blink moment, where no analysis or spreadsheet was necessary it just felt right? Feel free to comment .