Beshert

A Moment of Destiny

Beshert is a Yiddish word commonly used in Jewish culture to describe an event or occurrence as fortunate, destined, or otherwise, meant to be. Though I am not of Jewish descent, I have always had a fascination for language and those particular words that, while carrying no literal English translation, can carry an enormous degree of meaning in their language of origin. For me, Beshert, is one of those words.

“It’s Beshert,” is what the woman sitting in front of me stated as we ended our conversation and unexpected meeting last Saturday. The woman, who we will call Hope, is a member of the fitness club for which I am currently employed. I had met Hope many months prior, having helped answer some questions she had at that time. I knew when I met her there was something significant about our encounter, perhaps yet to be recognized but evident. Upon our first meeting, Hope commented on my writing after reviewing an email I had written. She asked if I had a passion for writing, and I replied, “I enjoy writing emails,” thinking nothing more but thanking her for her kind words. Our encounter ended, and Hope left my mind.

Last Saturday, I was not scheduled to work but due to some last minute changes, I reported in. At around 11am, I looked up to see Hope entering the building. I happened to be standing at the front desk, and I immediately recognized and greeted her. Hope replied that she could not believe I remembered her face and name, to which I replied, “Of course, I remember you.” I still thought nothing of this and went about my business while Hope took her class. A little while later, Hope resurfaced, asking for a few minutes of my time. Hope shared that she had not planned on visiting this particular location that day, but due to her own last minute changes, did so. Hope added that it was her first day back in practice after spending years away, and she was happy to have ran into me again. I furthered this assessment of our seemingly chance encounter, telling Hope that I was originally off that day and not scheduled to work. I could recognize the serendipitous moment that was, yet again, occurring between Hope and me. Hope asked a few questions, as she did during her last visit, which again, resulted in me sending her an email as she sat in front of me. Upon receiving it, Hope complimented my writing and asked a similar question as she did during our previous meeting, “Do you have a passion for writing?” I paused, bringing my awareness to the universe’s whispering getting louder. This time, I said, “Well, actually, yes. I have a great passion for writing and have always considered myself a writer, though I have not practiced it regularly.” Hope’s eyes lit up as she shared that she travels, teaching writing and encouraging children and adults, who have an interest in writing, to write. Hope asked what my current writing practices were, and I replied that I didn’t have any but had been thinking of starting. I also shared that upon my move to Manhattan back in 2019, I started writing a book. Hope’s eyes widened further, as she encouraged and all but demanded that I begin to write again.

Hope reinforced to me a belief I have always held, which is that when something is of particular interest to you, there is a reason. When something flows to you or through you with such ease, it is not by chance but by design. We are not gifted talents at random. We are gifted them because we are meant to deliver them. While we may share similar passions, we do not share the same personalities or unique mix of humanness. We are each individually gifted and positioned to deliver our talents to this world in a way that is unique to us. I believe that a significant part of our journeys is to understand this, know it, and live it.

My “chance” meeting with Hope brought me here, to this platform, to this chair, typing these words. My soul continues to ignite with passion and purpose as I type, and while I may be unsure of where this is leading, I am sure that it is meant to be. Sometimes, the universe’s nudges come in unexpected ways, through a “chance” encounter with a stranger perhaps, and our job is to recognize these moments and to be prepared to meet them when they arrive. When something is clear, there is not much you can do to ignore it. You can try to muddy it with your fears, expectations, or thoughts, but when it is staring you in the face, you will know it’s there.

What I have learned, is that when something is truly meant to be, it simply will be.

All my love always,

A