One of my real passions is helping people communicate better, and one of the beliefs I have about communication is that it works better when people are being themselves.  So, in an effort to help people communicate better, and in turn create powerful connections, I often start with helping people find out who they really are. Helping them be authentic.  Helping them BE. One of the tools I use is curiosity.  When we choose to ask a question with a curious tone, it is so different from asking any other way.  It just feels different, and it fosters an open mind, and creativity, and authenticity.
One of the signposts of authenticity is synchronicity, at least in my experience.  The more authentic choices I make, the more synchronicities show up in my life.  And these days I rarely go a full day without noticing a synchronicity or two.
So, here, although I’ll seem to digress a bit, I’d like to share with you a recent synchronicity that involves this post’s topic, or at least one of them, curiosity…..

So, it seems that suddenly everyone I know is playing Words With Friends (WWF), the iPhone version of Scrabble.

I’ll just come right out and admit it, I may be addicted.  Cheez-Its now come with scrabble letters baked into them so apparently the Nabisco execs might be addicted too, or at least they’ve realized that thanks to iPhone there has been a Scrabble renaissance.

The nice thing about playing WWF is that there are no time restraints, so sometimes  a game will literally take days to complete, and other times players are able to respond more quickly.  Some of my opponents and I have multiple games going at once.  And besides, it just seems fitting for a communication expert to be playing with words, and friends, as often as she can.

So, last night I was talking with someone about authenticity, and communication, and curiosity.  I began encouraging him to start the question he was asking himself with a curious “Hm?”, in an effort to really encourage open-mindedness, and nonjudgment.  The conversation went on for some time with an emphasis on “Hm?” being the preface to the self question.  “Hm?, Why am I experiencing these things in my life at this time, Hm?” (asked VERY curiously)

Which brings me back to Words With Friends, and synchronicity.
We finished up our talk and I picked up my iPhone in time to see that one of my opponents had just played a word.
You can see the word below.

"HM?" So that's how you spell it.

I couldn’t help but smile.  And not just because I won.

Here’s to being curious, and authentic,

Cindie

I’d love to hear about the synchronicity you experience in your life!  As well as any comments you may have or suggestions for topics you’d like to see addressed here on the Songbird Coaching blog.   Your comments are much appreciated.