J. Sands Loch

2025 Day 23: One, Two, Three – Synchronicity

2025-0123h-3210 Austin, TX

Last night I was going through old photos and I found some pictures I had taken of my journal. This morning, I looked at my journal photos again and decided to post them. Here they are, with transcription. I will save my thoughts on these until another day. The one extra synchronicity I will add is I just realized that I met Carmel on One, Two, Three – more precisely on One, Two, Three, Two, Zero, One, Three. Not in Jan but in Dec – you can do the math.

2016-0227-1019 Brenda’s French Soul Food, SF – Wow! (page 1)

“Wow!”

I texted Carmel from the lighthouse yesterday morning. I had gotten up early to catch the sunrise. It was my last day working at Apple and I wanted to experience the full day and start it off right. Charlie wanted to go too, so I got his leash and some poop bags and we walked down to West Cliff. As we walked along, we came upon the spot where I had taken the picture I used on the cover of Surfing the Multiverse. I looked down and saw a young man and his dog. It reminded me of when I had taken the picture and how I had wished I had known the gentleman’s name so I could acknowledge him.

2016-0229 Lou’s Fish Shack, Fisherman’s Wharf SF – What’s the Chance? (pages 2 & 3)

“What’s the chance?”, I thought to myself. A quick mental calculation resulted in “quite small” as an answer.

2017-0123M-1219 Samsung, Austin TX – Fast Forward

Fast Forward almost a year. I haven’t been writing and today decided that I would get back to it. As fate would have it (or as the synchronistic probabilities of the universe would have it), today was my first day at a new building at Samsung. I joined Samsung last year after leaving Apple. My first day at Samsung was 3/21. Today, being 1/23, I was remembering my start date and also wondering about the universe where I still worked at Apple. As I drove into work, I lost my way and ended up in the wrong office complex. I realized this when I noticed that the offices were Apple’s design center. This coincidence was also notable because yesterday I found myself searching jobs at Apple. I wasn’t sure why at the time and I didn’t look too carefully. Now it is clear to me that I am surfing near to universes where I am working at Apple, especially the Austin design center. I had considered transferring to the Austin design center last year.

2017-0123M-1300 Samsung, Austin, TX – Back to What’s the Chance (page 4)

So where was I in the story of my last day at Apple? Oh yes, I see now as I catch up with you, I was walking along West Cliff in Santa Cruz when I spied someone down on the beach with a dog and it reminded me of the picture I had taken for my 1st book back cover. Well, as odds would have it, the man looked nothing like the one I had taken a picture of, and so I continued walking.

This may be a good time to mention a universe surfing skill I have learned. Just as the wave surfer waits to catch a good wave, the universe surfer can identify conditions that are good for surfing between universes.

2017-0123M-1315 Samsung, Austin – Major Changes Bring Universes Together (Page 5)

When there are changes occurring in your life, then you are in an area of the multiverse in which many different (“far away”) universes are nearby and interfering with each other. This is much different than when you are having a day of habit when you are surrounded by universes very much like your own. As such, you should pay special attention to any thoughts, however fleeting, that cross your mind. These thoughts are from your quantum mind in other universes coupling with your classical mind in the universe you are experiencing classically. So, when I imagine I see the man and his dog from my photo and then quickly realize that it’s not them, I need to pay attention. And I need to pay attention especially so since its a day of high change.

2017-0123M-1320 Austin – Listen to your Quantum Mind (page 6)

As I continued walking down West Cliff, I arrived at the entrance to Dog Beach. There was some safety tape across the entrance for some reason and I paused to ponder why. I was still feeling a pull to go down to dog beach, plus I knew Charlie would enjoy it even if I didn’t manage to surf any universes. As I was paused at the entrance, a man and his dog walked by and I asked the man if he came there often – hoping that he might know the man in the picture on my phone. He waved me away as if he couldn’t be bothered and began walking down the steps to the beach. As he walked down, I noticed his dog looked very familiar. Could it be the same dog in my photo?!

2017-0123M-1325 Austin – In Search of a Dog (part 1) (page 7)

I search my phone for the photo I had taken six months prior. I found it- same dog! Or at least it looked the same from the photo. As my heart stated beating faster, I stepped over the safety tape and made my way down to Dog Beach. As I got to the beach, I looked around and saw no one. I began walking down to the area where I had first taken the photo. As the hidden area of the beach revealed itself, I saw the man and his dog. I approached him and tried to explain how I had taken a picture of him six months ago, had written a book, and had been looking for him. He waved me off as if I were crazy. I persevered and asked for his contact info so I could send him a copy of the book and asked for his permission to use the photo.

2017-0123-1330 – In Search of Dog (part 2) (page 8)

He said I could use the photo but he didn’t want a copy of the book, and he went on his way. I felt like there must have been a reason why I had thought about meeting him, and then had met him. Certainly today was when we were supposed to meet and become connected. As he walked away, I thought about how close I was to knowing how he was and how I wanted to acknowledge him in the book credits. I decided to follow him and try again. He walked down to the lighthouse and then out to the cliffs where the surfers jump into the sea. The sun was rising or had just risen as I approached. I began to engage him again.

“Excuse me, …”, I said.

2017-0123-1340 – “Move it! You’re in my View!”

“Move it! You’re in my View!”, he yelled at me. I was startled by his passion.

“Stop following me! I don’t want to talk to you.”

Wow, I had not expected that. I thought I had been universe surfing according to the book. I had been noticing “days of change”. I had been paying attention to “fleeting thoughts” and to “unexpected events”. I had made choices which I thought would increase my chances of experiencing classically the universe I desired. Unfortunately, I was only solo surfing. I was not tandem surfing. I realized as I walked away that I needed to understand and write about tandem surfing. And I already knew the title of the book –

“Move it! You’re in My View!”

2025 Day 22: Revisiting Habits in the Multiverse

2025-0122W-4444 Austin, TX

Five years ago I wrote 2020 Day 22: Habits in the Multiverse. Today, I would like to revisit this blog post and update it. In the blog post, I discussed how in one universe, I write a daily blog, and in a neighboring universe, I don’t. By deliberately focusing on my “new habit” universe, I attracted more of those “new habit” universes to be closer to me, increasing the likelihood that I would daily blog.

I continue to find value in universe surfing as a mental model to assist me in understanding and navigating the world. Whether habit formation requires 19 days, 29.5 days, or 12 lunar months, continuing to focus on the habit daily is the most important universe surfing technique. Focus is the energy that resonates in parallel universes and brings them closer to you. You have free will over your focus. Focus on the habit. For creating a habit, focus itself is enough. Whether you actually do the habit or not is less in your control. Regularly focus on the habit you are trying to create. Practice self-awareness of whether you actually do the habit or not. Notice any resistance and be curious about where the resistance is coming from.

In my last blog post, I said I would revisit “did some universe surfing magic” in a future blog post. This is that future post. When I say I “did some universe surfing magic,” I’m essentially describing the process of consciously shifting my attention and energy toward a version of reality—one in which a particular outcome or habit already exists. It builds on two core ideas:

1. Resonance: We all carry an energetic signature, influenced by our emotions, thoughts, and physical sensations. By deliberately aligning that energetic signature with the feeling or state we want—such as Love, Compassion, or a new habit—we “tune in” to the parallel universes where that state is already established. It’s akin to setting a radio dial; you carefully adjust your thoughts, feelings, and bodily awareness until you lock onto the station broadcasting that specific vibe.

2. Embodiment: Once you’ve identified the state you want to resonate with, you practice embodying it deeply. Yoga, meditation, Qi Gong, and similar practices teach us how to direct energy through breath, movement, and focused awareness. By unifying your mind, emotions, and physical sensation of that new habit or state, you effectively “surf” closer to the version of yourself—and the parallel universes—where the habit is a lived reality.

The “magic” part is less about supernatural forces and more about the surprising power of sustained intention. Over time, as you keep revisiting this specific resonance, you’ll notice that your external actions begin to align with it more consistently. You might spontaneously feel motivated to wake up earlier and blog, or naturally gravitate toward people who share your vision of living with more compassion. From the outside, these shifts can look almost magical, but they are underpinned by the everyday work of repeated focus and embodied practice.

2025 Day 21: 60 Ways I can help Healers

2025-0121T-6060 Austin, TX

I’m behind on my daily blogging. I’m holding Carmel and her family in my heart. I am grateful that I met Carmel and many of her family, and they will all forever be in my thoughts. I’m grateful for the many conversations with friends that I have had over the last few days. I’m grateful that my mind is often happy, optimistic, and entertaining. I am grateful that even though my mind will give me regular doses of negative self-talk, it usually does so in a compassionate way.

Five years ago I posted 2020 Day 21: Surfing Universes – Life Coach – 60 Needs that Healers Have. I still have a dream of leveraging my talents to help healers. To move me closer to this dream, here is my first brainstorming list of how I can help.

1. Vision, Strategy, and Roadmap

Many healers feel overwhelmed when trying to translate their gifts into a sustainable business. Figuring out a long-term strategy, setting measurable goals, and knowing where to invest time and resources can be daunting. A clear roadmap helps ensure that each step you take is aligned with your core purpose and the needs of your clients.

• 1.1) I will help you define a long-term vision that honors your unique gifts and desired lifestyle.

• 1.2) I will support you in mapping out incremental goals so you can measure progress effectively.

• 1.3) I will show you how to prioritize tasks, ensuring you spend energy on what truly matters.

• 1.4) I will guide you in discovering the niche where your skills and passions best serve your audience.

• 1.5) I will help you adapt your roadmap when life circumstances or client demands change.

• 1.6) I will encourage you to integrate continuous learning and refinement into your overall strategy.

2. Infrastructure, Operations, and Legal

From choosing a workspace to establishing a reliable digital record-keeping system, setting up the operational “nuts and bolts” can be confusing. Legal concerns, ethical guidelines, and liability issues can further complicate this stage, preventing many healers from focusing on the healing work itself.

• 2.1) I will help you identify and set up the ideal workspace—whether that’s at home, a shared facility, or a private office.

• 2.2) I will guide you through creating or refining key operational systems for scheduling, communication, and record-keeping.

• 2.3) I will show you how to manage legal and liability considerations through well-structured contracts and ethical guidelines.

• 2.4) I will ensure you understand the basics of protecting your intellectual property.

• 2.5) I will help you plan for contingencies, such as sickness or extended time off, to maintain consistent client care.

• 2.6) I will provide resources to help you stay organized and compliant with industry regulations.

3. Financial Management and Cash Flow

Financial uncertainty is a major source of stress, especially for those transitioning from a day job to full-time practice. Questions about budgeting, cash flow, and retirement savings can feel overwhelming. A solid financial foundation gives you the peace of mind to focus on what you do best—healing.

• 3.1) I will guide you in creating a realistic budget that meets both personal and professional needs.

• 3.2) I will help you develop a strategy for setting aside retirement savings, even during lean periods.

• 3.3) I will show you how to track income and expenses efficiently, minimizing year-end tax surprises.

• 3.4) I will provide insights into legitimate deductions and tax strategies relevant to healers.

• 3.5) I will support you in planning a smooth transition from part-time side hustle to full-time practice.

• 3.6) I will help you understand borrowing options and risks so you can make informed financial decisions.

4. Marketing and Outreach

Attracting and retaining clients can be challenging, especially in a crowded marketplace. Healers often struggle to communicate their value proposition or figure out which marketing channels will effectively reach their ideal clientele. A thoughtful marketing and outreach plan ensures you connect authentically with those who most need your services.

• 4.1) I will work with you to identify your ideal client and develop messaging that resonates.

• 4.2) I will help you structure a process to attract your first, tenth, and hundredth loyal client.

• 4.3) I will show you how to leverage both free and paid advertising channels without feeling “salesy.”

• 4.4) I will guide you in creating a strong social media presence aligned with your personal voice.

• 4.5) I will demonstrate how to build thriving communities—both online and locally—around your offerings.

• 4.6) I will teach you methods to gather meaningful client testimonials and feedback for social proof.

5. Product and Service Development

Defining what exactly you’re selling—whether it’s a one-on-one service, group classes, or digital content—can be complex. Understanding your customers’ real needs and refining offerings based on feedback are critical for long-term success. Clarity here means you stay relevant and innovative in a competitive market.

• 5.1) I will help you design a minimal viable product or service that meets immediate client needs.

• 5.2) I will guide you in validating your ideas through pilot programs and targeted feedback.

• 5.3) I will show you when it makes sense to pivot, refine, or expand your offerings based on results.

• 5.4) I will help you maintain authenticity and integrity while evolving your services to meet client demands.

• 5.5) I will coach you on pricing strategies, including when and how to offer discounts or sliding scales.

• 5.6) I will support you in creating pathways for customer feedback and reviews to continuously improve.

6. Personal Growth and Self-Care

Healers often dedicate their energy to others, risking burnout if they neglect their own mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Personal growth and self-care fuel the resilience and empathy required to sustain a healing practice.

• 6.1) I will show you how to design daily routines that replenish your physical and emotional energy.

• 6.2) I will help you balance the demands of client work with personal time for rest and rejuvenation.

• 6.3) I will guide you in setting clear boundaries that protect your well-being and professional relationships.

• 6.4) I will encourage you to engage in ongoing self-development, keeping your healing practice fresh.

• 6.5) I will remind you of the importance of joy, play, and creativity as core parts of a sustainable life.

• 6.6) I will share techniques for managing stress and preventing burnout before it sabotages your business.

7. Work-Life Integration

Even with solid self-care, it can be tough to integrate the demands of running a business with relationships, family responsibilities, and personal goals. Achieving work-life harmony ensures you stay emotionally grounded and present for clients and loved ones alike.

• 7.1) I will help you identify areas of your life that need attention and set realistic boundaries.

• 7.2) I will guide you in prioritizing tasks and delegating when possible, so you don’t become overwhelmed.

• 7.3) I will show you how to structure your schedule in ways that honor both personal commitments and client needs.

• 7.4) I will encourage open communication with loved ones about the challenges and rewards of self-employment.

• 7.5) I will help you plan for vacations and time off, ensuring smooth business operations while you recharge.

• 7.6) I will share strategies for staying focused on personal growth, even when business demands intensify.

8. Communication and Negotiation

Speaking up about fees, handling client expectations, and navigating collaborative relationships can be intimidating. Effective communication and negotiation skills are essential for sustaining a positive reputation and securing fair agreements.

• 8.1) I will teach you communication techniques that help you convey professionalism and compassion.

• 8.2) I will support you in discussing rates and boundaries confidently, ensuring mutual respect with clients.

• 8.3) I will show you how to negotiate win-win solutions when bartering or partnering with other practitioners.

• 8.4) I will provide guidance on handling challenging conversations—such as refund requests or client dissatisfaction.

• 8.5) I will empower you to protect your professional reputation through clarity and consistency in all interactions.

• 8.6) I will help you leverage strong relationships to expand your network and build a supportive community.

9. Technology and Remote Offerings

Healers often find technology daunting. From managing a website to hosting remote sessions or webinars, embracing the right tools can amplify your impact but also introduce new complexities. Striking the balance between tech-savvy and authentic human connection is key.

• 9.1) I will show you how to set up and maintain user-friendly digital platforms, even if you’re not tech-savvy.

• 9.2) I will guide you in choosing the most effective webinar and video conferencing tools for remote sessions.

• 9.3) I will teach you how to back up critical client data and safeguard sensitive information.

• 9.4) I will demonstrate how to implement automation (like email marketing) without losing a personal touch.

• 9.5) I will help you streamline your online presence—whether through social media, your own website, or an online store.

• 9.6) I will recommend best practices for working remotely, from maintaining client privacy to effective communication.

10. Growth, Scaling, and Advanced Strategies

Some healers aspire to expand beyond a one-person practice—perhaps by hiring staff, accepting partners, or seeking outside investment. Scaling requires strategic thinking, risk assessment, and the willingness to evolve your role within the business.

• 10.1) I will assess your readiness for expansion, helping you determine whether to hire, partner, or seek investors.

• 10.2) I will guide you in creating a scalable infrastructure that supports additional staff or practitioners.

• 10.3) I will help you find affordable health care for yourself and your employees..

• 10.4) I will help you plan exit strategies or succession plans, should your life or goals change unexpectedly.

• 10.5) I will encourage you to share your expertise—through speaking engagements, collaborations, or publishing—so you can reach a wider audience.

• 10.6) I will help you leverage advanced marketing tactics and partnerships for sustainable, ethical growth.

These ten categories address the full spectrum of challenges that healers often face. My goal is to assist you in these areas so you can focus your energy on healing others. If you are a Healer, please comment below and let me know how I can best help you from this list (or otherwise).

2025 Day 20: RIP Carmel

2025-0120M-2219 Austin, TX

Monday night before 10:19pm, I got a call from the one good friend who knew me when I met Carmel.

“Have you heard from Carmel?”, V asked. “I saw a post that she died.”

In that moment, I felt myself in between realities. One in which the post was true and the other in which it wasn’t. I found it difficult to accept that Carmel was dead. I had just exchanged birthday greetings with her a few months ago.

It’s now Tuesday as I write this. I have had time to verify from her son D that Carmel decided to leave this world. I am both in shock now and also in acceptance. Carmel impacted my life greatly during the time that I spent time with her. I met her a couple of months after my divorce in Santa Cruz. The first page of my Surfing the Multiverse book (https://surfingtheuniverse.com/2015/11/23/surfing-the-multiverse-increasing-your-happiness-one-universe-at-a-time/) was written while I was with her at UCSC. On my birthday in 2015, I wrote about her father’s death (https://surfingtheuniverse.com/2015/11/27/page-56-death-in-the-multiverse/).

Carmel summarized herself as “too complex and whimsical to summarize”. She loved variety, spontaneity, new adventures, learning new things, physical activity, fresh air, and meeting new people everywhere she went. She was best when improvising in the moment. She had an almost obsessive drive to squeeze the juice out of life and live life to its fullest. I just imagined Will Ferrell playing Gene Freckle in the famous SNL skit, More Cowbell.

Carmel loved to remember funny parts of a movie “just cuz I love to laugh”, she said. One of her favorite movies was Get Him to the Greek. This was guaranteed to satisfy her love of laughing.

Carmel, I’m grateful for all of the adventures we shared and happy memories we created. You continue to inspire me to live life to its fullest. RIP Carmel.

Santa Cruz Lighthouse, 6:53am, Dec. 8, 2015 (Photo Credit: surfingtheuniverse.com)

2025 Day 19: Why is 19 sacred?

2025-0119u-0719 Austin, TX

For the last week, I have been curious about the history of the 7-day week. This led me to a curiosity around the sexagesimal (base-60) number system developed by the Sumerians over five thousand years ago. The earliest evidence of counting is the clay tokens made in standardized shapes over seven thousand years ago. These shapes included spheres, cones, cylinders and discs. They seem to have been used for numerical abstraction and record-keeping.

In a sexagesimal (base-60) number system, one counts from 1 to 59, and then 60 is represented by the same symbol as 1, now with a weight of 60. Normally, the position of the symbol is used to determine the weight. In the Sumerian system, the rightmost position represented units 1-59, the next position represented multiples of 60 (60-3540). The third position represented multiples of 3600 (3600-212400). You can see how you can represent large numbers with only a few sexagesimal symbols. Fractions were also represented in a similar way by positional symbols to the right of the main unit. There was apparently no “decimal point” and context of usage was needed to distinguish between 60, 1, and 1/60th.

In the ancient Babylonian times, it was known that lunar cycle (of 29.53 days) and the solar cycle (of 365.25 days) would synchronize every 19 years (19 * 365.25 / 29.53 = 235.007), which equals very close to 235 lunar cycles (off by 0.007 lunar month, about 2 hrs or 1/12th of a full day). This 19-year cycle would need a single day adjustment only every 12 * 19 =228 years!

WOW! I have been researching lunar and solar cycles for hours. It’s now Monday and I am still finishing this blog. I have been trying to figure out when the next alignment of the lunar and solar cycles would be. As my alignment, I have been using the winter solstice and the beginning of the lunar cycle as the Babylonians calculated it. Well, this year is the year! The winter solstice will be on December 21, 2025 (9:02am CST). And, that evening after sunset will be the first crescent moon of the new moon cycle!