Serendipity

 Serendipity

Serendipity is such a great word. Doesn’t it just sound like a feather on the wind? I always picture the dog/dragon Falcor from The Neverending Story when someone says that word.

I think I like it so much because of what it means though.

The official definition: the faculty or phenomenon of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for.

Serendipity. Destiny. Fate. Call it what you will, I’m a total believer.

Coincidentally…

My friends will tell you they get tired of me telling them, “Everything happens for a reason.”

I’ve believed that since I was small. I believed it so much I created a “mystery” in elementary school for my friends and me to solve. I loved Nancy Drew and Agatha Christie books, and I became convinced that every little thing—a red thread found on the playground at recess, a shred of magazine sticking out from under the classroom trashcan, even a suspiciously cat-shaped cloud in the stormy sky—were all put in front of me for a reason. They were all clues.

I’m afraid to admit Destiny_PCI never solved “the mystery” but I continue to collect the clues.

Recently an old and dear friend, beloved author and professor Josh Goldfaden, passed away much too young. In trying to explain how we became friends to someone, I started going back through the steps and connections that brought us together and I realized—if Josh and I hadn’t been friends, I would have never met my husband.

Josh’s passing also has me thinking about all of the little coincidences, the small blips in life that make you go “wow, that was a cool coincidence.”

NOT a coincidence, I say. Serendipity. Fate. Destiny.

Call me crunchy, but I believe I was meant to move to Northern California at 20 (thank you, Josh), so I could meet the love of my life. Twenty-plus years later, we’re married, middle-aged homeowners. Who knew?

Fate or Evidence?

Recently, there were two other clues that had me smiling.

We adopted a second rescue dog, and as we were sorting out the process, and deciding on a date we could bring her home, the best day that worked for her foster mom was November 12. The anniversary of my mother-in-law’s passing.

I hesitated. I was anticipating it to be a rough, emotional day for our family, and I was worried about adding more to the mix. But then I thought, nope…let’s do it.

So I said yes, and Chloe became a part of our family that day. And you know what? I think Mandy had a hand in that. She always had a pack of rescue dogs running around her house, and I think it’s total serendipity that Chloe came into our lives officially a year to the day that Mandy left us.

Want more evidence?

I’m no longer unemployed—and I can’t believe who I’m working for.

Remember back when I took that fiscally irresponsible trip to NYC and met one of my mentors, Erin Stutland?

Shortly after that trip, she posted a job looking for a “Customer Happiness Specialist.” I thought…why not? I’ll throw my hat in the ring. After all, my intention has been to find work that fulfills me creatively, working for someone and something I believe in.

Cut to three Skype interviews later, and out of more than 150 applicants, I actually got the job!?!!

I’m working from home, with a pretty flexible schedule, helping people with a product and a person I completely believe in.

How did I get so damn lucky? It’s that crafty Serendipity.Fate_MA

I look back now and think that fiscally irresponsible trip maybe wasn’t so crazy after all. Had I not taken that class with Erin in person, who knows if I would have actually gotten the job?

But wait—it gets even more goosebumpy.

Because recently Erin told me that she had been looking for someone exactly like me to add to her team, but didn’t know how she would find her. She was looking for someone who had worked in a corporate job and done well, but was looking for something more.

Which, my friends, goes back to my two favorite sayings: All you are seeking is also seeking you, and Everything happens for a reason.

Alright, I’ll stop with the clues. You don’t have to be a believer if you don’t want to.

But I challenge you to open your eyes and your mind to what clues may be around you. I promise it’s much more fun to believe the world is a magical place.

 

“There is so much about my fate that I cannot control, but other things do fall under the jurisdiction. I can decide how I spend my time, whom I interact with, whom I share my body and life and money and energy with. I can select what I can read and eat and study. I can choose how I’m going to regard unfortunate circumstances in my life-whether I will see them as curses or opportunities. I can choose my words and the tone of voice in which I speak to others. And most of all, I can choose my thoughts.”    ― Elizabeth Gilbert

 

2 thoughts on “Serendipity

  • December 28, 2015 at 7:10 am
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    There was a time I too believed in fate until something inconceivable happened and I knew my heart was broken. It has been a long journey to accept what fate had in store for me but I am getting better. Some days are better now and I thank my family, friends and new found friends that serendipity has brought my way! Thank you for sharing this valuable insight.

    Reply
    • December 28, 2015 at 10:58 am
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      You’re so right. Those are the times when I have to question fate…but I still have to believe it’s all part of a bigger plan.

      Reply

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