Unveiling the Patterns
Life often appears to unfold through a series of random coincidences. Yet, as I’ve grown older, what once seemed like chance has revealed itself as a pattern—a tapestry of events interconnected in ways that only time and reflection can unveil. The Oxford Dictionary defines coincidence as “a remarkable concurrence of events or circumstances without apparent causal connection.” Remarkable indeed. But this “apparent” lack of connection begins to dissolve when we look back over years, perhaps decades, of lived experiences.
At first glance, coincidences seem unexplainable. I didn’t control them directly, yet I noticed that my actions influenced their frequency, timing, and intensity. It was as though I were playing a game with God—my moves influencing His, though I held no authority over His next step. What I once saw as random occurrences began to form patterns that hinted at deeper truths about the nature of my choices and their consequences.
Navigating the Maze of Change
In my youth, I was reckless, mischievous, and often drawn toward trouble. Opportunities to do wrong always seemed to present themselves, and negative outcomes followed—perhaps karma, or perhaps a reflection of the patterns I had created. At the time, I convinced myself I was simply unlucky, cursed to live a life defined by bad fortune. I was stuck in a cycle of negativity, too blind to see that I was the architect of my misfortune.
Eventually, fear forced me to change. It wasn’t a noble decision, but rather one born of self-preservation. I was terrified of ending up dead or in prison like many of my peers. My young son gave me a nonnegotiable reason to try. The battle to transform myself was grueling, and I failed often. My priorities were out of order, and I clung to excuses: the challenge was too great, the rewards uncertain.
And yet, I persisted. This was when I unknowingly enrolled in what I now call “The Soul University.”
The Soul University: Enrollment and Evolution
I never applied to The Soul University, but somehow, I was accepted. At first, I attended part-time—reading, reflecting, and inching my way toward change. Over time, I became a full-time student, immersing myself in an intense curriculum of mind and soul work. It wasn’t easy. The courses were rigorous, covering everything from reconditioning my thought patterns to confronting painful truths about myself.
The professor? God, though I wouldn’t have admitted it at the time. He had many assistants—people I met along the way, often unknowingly playing a role in my evolution. Relationships became a critical part of the journey; some conversations became turning points, allowing me to pass tests I didn’t even know I was taking.
At The Soul University, I learned there is no clear distinction between right and wrong, sinner and saint. I made mistakes—many of them—and sometimes I knowingly chose the wrong path. Yet, even those “wrong” routes led me to meet the professor’s assistants and gain wisdom I might otherwise have missed.
Embracing the Journey of Self-Discovery
Progress equals happiness. This simple realization became a turning point in my life. As I moved toward becoming a better version of myself—imperfect but intentional—I began to notice coincidences happening with greater frequency. Outcomes exceeded my imagination, and what I once dismissed as luck began to feel like something more profound.
I started studying concepts like karma, philosophy, and religion, seeking answers to explain what I was experiencing. Paradoxically, the more I learned, the more questions I had. Unlike traditional education, where knowledge brings clarity, my learning brought deeper curiosity. Yet, those unanswered questions fulfilled me in ways I can’t fully explain.
Over the years, I adopted a practice of choosing a focus word or phrase—my mantra—for each year. I wrote it on my hands, mirrors, and scraps of paper to keep it alive in my mind. Every action, every lesson, was filtered through that mantra. Over time, I realized I was stacking these mantras, filtering life through an accumulated wisdom that continued to grow. This focus became my superpower; without it, no amount of faith, discipline, or hard work would have mattered.
Gratitude in the Face of Coincidental Blessings
After decades of courses at The Soul University, I understand that life is not about perfection but progress. The journey took me through immense turbulence: confronting trauma, feeling grief, and battling depression. I failed some courses and had to retake them, learning the thin yet vital line between grieving and feeling sorry for myself. The work was painful, but it saved my soul.
I had disconnected from myself, others, and God for years. The journey reconnected me—not only to those around me but to the truest version of myself. I learned that I wasn’t unlucky or cursed; I had simply lost touch with who I was meant to be.
Today, I live with a deep sense of gratitude for the constant coincidences of blessings in my life. My wife often reminds me of the life I’ve built and asks why I still feel undeserving. I don’t have a perfect answer. Perhaps it’s because I remember where I started—soulless and lost.
Yet here I stand, blessed beyond measure: my health, clarity, family, career, and love. My cup overflows, and God still smiles as He pours onto my life. The patterns I now see so clearly were never random. They were always guiding me, always shaping me, and for that, I am forever grateful.
Life isn’t about avoiding storms; it’s about learning to face them head-on. I have learned to charge through, like the bison, reaching relief faster because I no longer run away.
And so, I remain a student of The Soul University—undeservingly blessed, yet fully aware of the remarkable coincidences that shape this journey we call life.
Jimmy Perez 
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