You Can’t Outrun the People You’re Meant to Meet
A small reminder that work isn’t always the most important thing on your calendar
The other day, I bailed on lunch with an old friend.
I told myself I was too busy.
Too many action items.
Too many loose ends.
Too much “important” work to step away for two hours.
I gave him a few days’ notice. I was honest.
Still, it didn’t sit right.
Being “too busy” for an old friend rarely feels like a win.
And then something strange happened.
On the exact day we were supposed to meet, I was walking to a different meeting — in a part of the city I rarely go — taking a route I almost never take.
And who do I run into?
Him.
Bam.
We laughed. We caught up. We stood there on the sidewalk like two guys who were clearly supposed to have that conversation. We agreed to reschedule lunch.
I’m not saying it was destiny. I’m not saying the universe sent a memo.
But sometimes life has a funny way of reminding you what matters.
We tell ourselves work can’t wait.
That the timing isn’t right.
That once things calm down, we’ll make the call.
But sometimes the moment is the timing.
Sometimes the random encounter is the message.
The next time you feel the nudge to reconnect with someone — an old friend, a new connection, a former colleague — don’t overthink it.
Take the lunch.
Make the call.
Send the text.
Yes, we have responsibilities.
Yes, things need to get done.
But the work will always refill your plate.
The people might not.