Blog # 5

            I’d like to revisit something I said in class dealing with the “aha” moments and synchronicity.  Throughout my experiences, I have been aware of the things around me based on what I need. For example, I don’t always think of eating food or having a snack except for when I’m hungry. An example I provided in class was the Volkswagen and Honda illustration. When you buy a new car, you tend to recognize that vehicle more often than not. That’s because you now have a connection to it and you share some sort of experience with it.

            This is where the “aha” moment factors into this blog.  Also known as second-order change, this is “a profound restructuring of the self, of one’s way of being, or of one’s way of viewing or perceiving the world (Guindon, 2002). In other words, this is a realization of how you perceive the world and what it is to be you. I think that in order to have synchronicity, an “aha” moment would have taken place and you most likely will be aware of it.  The “aha” moment opens your state of awareness to your environment and your needs. Thus, you can unknowingly be placed in a moment that offers synchronicity.

            I hate to use the printing press scenario because I think that horse has been beat enough, but it does illustrate what I’m trying to convey. If Dan did not have an “aha” moment when he had a setback in his career and eventually realized that he wanted to ultimately own a small town press, he would have never connected the proverbial dots when he spoke to the individual who had a printing press. The awareness of his dream and the “aha” moment that facilitated this gave way to his curiosity and awareness of resources around him.

            As counselors, if we were able to help individuals achieve their second-order change moments, we would be providing a great service. This would allow individuals to become self-aware of their needs and may possibly uncover some “printing press” dreams. We might achieve this through questioning and critical thinking in the clinical setting or at and office.  Then the skills could be transferred outside and the client would have a better understanding of what to do out of the office and would allow some independence. Career counselors would provide the necessary vehicle for the client to move down some unsure paths and ultimately get them on the road to a successful career/future.

Reference:

Guindon, M., & Hanna, F. (2002). Coincidence, happenstance, serendipity, fate, or the hand of god: Case studies in synchronicity. The career development quarterly, 50, 195-208.