Searching for Serendipity

ser·en·dip·i·ty  (srn-dp-t)

n. pl. ser·en·dip·i·ties

1. The faculty of making fortunate discoveries by accident.

2. An instance of making such a discovery.

Many things we search for simply can’t be found. We search for love. We search for happiness. We search for success. We travel on endless holidays, we run from party to party and from event to event, we over work, we scramble to yoga and to meditation classes, we serial date, and we buy, buy, buy; all in the quest to find the things we believe we must have. We search because we simply can’t believe that the things we want will find us, or that they’ve been inside of us all along. We’re certain that we must DO, BECOME and TRY HARDER, when all we really need to do is live our life with purpose and authenticity, and learn to enjoy all that comes our way. Serendipity has a way of sending the best to us, if only we recognize it when it arrives.

Serendipity is all around us. Sometimes it’s obvious, and other times it’s subtle. For instance, have you had a great career opportunity come to you out of the blue, even if it wasn’t what you had listed as the next rung on your planned ladder? How many stories have you heard about soul mates meeting, when they had both written off love? What about the apartment you found completely by accident? Or the moment of pure joy watching a sunset solo? How about the lifelong friend you made just because you commented on the dress she was wearing? Have you ever stopped to calculate the odds of so many of life’s serendipitous moments? It’s staggering how many wonderful things happen to us completely by accident.

To be clear, I remain true to my beliefs of maximum effort and living with passion. I believe human beings need to contribute and achieve, whatever that means to the individual, in order to be fulfilled. I think you must work hard at your craft to be good at it, you must be the best version of yourself personally to attract and nurture the type of relationship you want, and you must be true to your values and beliefs to be happy. The difference I’ve found is when we begin to twist and change ourselves to become who we’re “supposed to be” to attract the right man/woman/job, rather than being the best version of ourselves and attracting our natural matches. One style skews your life off center, while the other allows you to be authentic, genuine and content. One style has you trying too hard, and being frustrated if the ONE planned outcome doesn’t materialize, and the other allows you to enjoy the adventure and be open to all the glorious possibilities.

Serendipity isn’t easy though. It requires patience and an open mind. It’s also something else that can’t be found, or caught. The more you chase it, the more it flees your grasp. It’s the act of being yourself, and letting go of the rest. It’s the leap of faith that says I know everything I need will come my way, and it’s the courage to let go of the illusion of control.

As for me, I’ve finally come to understand that the best things in life often find me, and that many times the things that find me are so much better than what I had planned. In searching for serendipity, I’ve learned how to go about my life every day in a way I love. How to take care of myself spiritually, physically and emotionally, and to celebrate each day. I didn’t stop trying, working, dreaming or doing. I just put them back in their rightful place; alongside simply being, and waiting for serendipity to join me on the journey.

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