Synchronicity

Andrew Neyer

Nov 18

The Art of Coordination

Published by: Andrew Neyer
11/18/2020

ACT 1

Synchronized Swimmers perform a routine. The performance involves stamina, patience, focus and reliance on on another. This is achieved successfully through practiced choreography. The moves are predetermined and follow a sequence. Routines are scored on a scale of 100, with points for execution, artistic impression, and difficulty.

In 2017, the sport was renamed from "synchronized swimming" to "artistic swimming"—a decision that faced mixed reception.

ACT 2

Jimmy Fallon is accompanied by the Backstreet Boys to perform Sisqo's "Thong Song" in a barbershop quartet style. Synchronicity shows up in the form of timing, melody, harmony, and jazz hands. In this example, each singer has a distinct role that builds into something greater.

ACT 3

Jam Skaters transform a roller rink into a synchronized dance line. The dance form's evolution is organic and has roots in roller disco, and combines multiple dance forms. The Jam-line builds as different people join the line and alternate leading the line. The music sets the pace and the dance moves are birthed from the line moving as one unit.

SUMMARY

Synchronicity's success lies in a group's desire to become synchronized and the courageous patience and repetition to practice the art form.

The swimmers and singers rely on the routine as a map. However, the skaters form an organic dance-line to any soundtrack. This is the most intriguing form of synchronicity because the routine is absorbed. The end goal of jam-skating is not to perform for a judge or an audience; instead, it is to dance on roller skates' round-n-’round a roller rink while loving it! Often, the jam skaters are complete strangers, yet they can quickly form a tightly packed dance line because they share the same desire to synchronize.

Look for ways to synchronize with others around you. Your roller skates may look different. They may be your uniform, a mission statement, or your life goals. My wife, Jen, and I know first hand the difficulties a relationship out-of-sync can create. This is why our primary goal every day is to finds ways to become synchronized. When we are living in harmony with one another, we are in Cahoots™.

Cahoots™ is our umbrella term for being aware of both of our schedules, stresses, joys, emotional gas tanks, kid's needs, and the list goes on. Being mindful is not enough; we strive to know each others' needs to tend to them and look for ways to prevent conflict and stressors. If the desire is to be synchronized, or in Cahoots™, then the focus is eliminating things from our life and behavior that would cause us to become out-of-sync. When an argument arises, the focus must be on returning to Cahoots™, not proving why you are right or not-guilty. This is easier said, but if the emphasis is on restoring synchronicity, then it is clear that each person must work harder and more focused to get back into that jam skate line. Winning the argument is skating by yourself while your partner sits on the sideline with their feelings hurt. Jam Skating and marriage aren't for everyone, but if you're married, you should learn how to stay in Cahoots™ while jam skating every day.

The backbone of synchronicity is striving for interdependence. Depending on each other is the sweet spot. Interdependence is best represented as 1+1=3. It is often easier to figure out your goals as an independent, but when we choose to rely on each other and aim at excellence, that is where the transformation happens, and we can produce more than we can as single units.