Way back in 2005 (twenty years ago now!), a friend’s daughter made a Facebook post claiming her favorite time of day was 12:34. Her reason was she simply enjoyed seeing the simple sequence of numbers. I have no idea why, but from that moment up until now, I often see that exact time on watches, clocks, microwave ovens, DVR players, emails, and many other sources with unusual frequency.
For a while this was a fun synchronicity that would occur and I would often smile, exclaim the time, and then write it off as some silly coincidence. However, after a couple years it became more and more frequent - often twice a day and sometimes as often as 8-10 times per week. To clarify, I did not (and do not) set alarms or other reminders that trigger this. I only count it when it is totally random. The frequency of this occurrence was uncanny.
I decided that simply acknowledging this wasn’t enough. I needed to put a meaning behind it. With that thought, I created the 12:34 moment of gratitude. I decided that any time it occurred via synchronicity I would stop whatever I was doing, I’d close my eyes and begin reciting (out loud or in my mind) everything in my life that I was grateful for in that moment. I encouraged myself to continue stating graces so that my next look at the clock would be 12:35 or later. I wanted to spend that entire moment in the state of gratitude.
Fortunately this occurs mostly when I’m in a situation where I can stop and take the moment. Occasionally it happens when I’m driving, at which point I either pull over if possible, or I spend the moment while still behind the wheel. These times feel less genuine because, for me, closing my eyes and focusing all my attention on gratitude is the best way to experience the moment. Life doesn’t always allow that, so I work with what I have. :-)
Literally decades have passed and I still experience and honor this tradition. I have told a few close friends about this and often I will receive a text from one of them when they see 12:34 (it’s especially fun when they are in different time zones!). It gives me pause to thank the universe for this person and I always let them know how grateful I am to have them in my life. I usually sneak in a few extra things I’m grateful for too. It’s a tickler for both of us that cements a connection and triggers a flow of positive energy.
As a believer in the state of abundance, I also believe that gratitude often opens the doors to abundance. Abundance exists all around us. Whether or not we choose to focus on it doesn’t make it go away. It just sits around and waits for an opportunity to work for us, for good or for bad. Focusing on lack, absence, shortage, or scarcity will cause abundance to work with those conditions and provide them abundance. A "stroke of bad luck" or "the bills piling up" or "I can’t afford…" are all conditions caused by a general attitude of lack. Abundance doesn’t differentiate between the good stuff and the bad stuff, however it is guided by the self-talk and core beliefs of the individual. Sometimes this is so deeply ingrained in our personality we don’t even recognize it.
Perhaps the sharpest tool in the shed for making abundance work for you is gratitude. When you are in a state of thankfulness for all that you DO have, your self-talk and deeper thoughts slip between the cracks and allow abundance to start doing its work. Otherwise it is helpless without the opportunity.
A very important consideration about abundance is that it is multi-faceted. Abundance is not just monetary. Prosperity is not just monetary. There are those prosperous with great friends, families, loves of their lives, amazing health, artistic abilities, and many other non-monetary facets. They all work as a team and none really take precedence over the others unless the individual’s self-talk and ambitions guide it that way.
There is no timeline for abundance either. You can suggest dates, but it will arrive when it deems appropriate. Focus on all the good around you. A simple "thank you" is often enough to crack the door. Stay aware of the abundance of things around you and give them notice. Appreciate the fact that you can even do that.
I just looked at the clock and it was 1:19. I missed 12:34 by a bit. I also often see 12:35, 12:36 and so on. Here’s where the 12:34 trigger is especially useful. I could see 12:35 (or 1:19) and say "oh well, I missed it". Or I can acknowledge that it’s not 12:34 but that doesn’t mean I can’t still stop and be grateful. Sure, it’s not the same serendipitous splash as seeing it "live", but it still serves its purpose of reminding me to exercise gratitude.
So after 20 years or so of doing this I’ve found my life to be more prosperous in many ways. I have a successful business teaching adults how to play guitar. I’m passionate about it and I am grateful for everyone who trades me money for this service. Beyond the money though, I have curated wonderful friendships and mentored many people to be a better versions of themselves. I live in a nice home, with my beautiful bride of over 40 years. I enjoy fantastic sunsets many evenings and am steps away from walking trails. My health is good, I still have my hair, enjoy woodworking, and of course, playing guitar. The other day I received a $516.83 check from a health provider and I have no idea what it’s for, nor is it stated on the check stub. I’m not asking questions, it’s already in the bank.
Have I strayed off the path? Of course. Have I thought about lack, especially times of stress or uncertainty? Yes, absolutely. Has either of those things served me? Hell no.
Is my life just "blessed"? Maybe, but I don’t think so. I enjoy all the wonderful aspects of my life because I stop to acknowledge and express my thanks for them. Are there parts that aren’t as wonderful? Of course. I just don’t focus on them or give them opportunities to bring me down.
Life is good if you choose to see life as good. It can also suck if that’s what you prefer to focus on. And no lie, it’s really fucking hard to stay focused on the good. It’s way easier to give into the negative thoughts, excuse yourself for feeling this way, perpetuate your negative attitude to yourself and others. And there are MANY others waiting to commiserate with you. Avoid them like the plague.
But at the end of the day it is a choice, not a sentence. 12:34 reminds me of that. If you happen to notice something like this in your life, it doesn’t need to be a certain time - it can be a butterfly, dragonfly, song on the radio, a word or phrase - take a moment to celebrate it. Be grateful for it. Turn it to something meaningful for you. Spread it to others or keep it to yourself.
A few of my favorite quotes:
"One of my missions in life is to serve as an example of what’s possible." - Bob Baker
"Look at all the good around you. Of all the lives you could have lived, how wonderful is it that you get to live this one?" - James Clear
"Every moment in your life is an opportunity to change who you are." -Keanu Reeves
"Don’t forget to tell these special people in your life just how special they are to you." - Bob Ross
I invite you to also enjoy this tradition and if you happen to see 12:34 in a random manner, take a sec to say thanks and may you too be washed in the abundance of life, love, and happiness.
Peace.
