Jan 28: Serendipity Was Born
How to find "kisses from the universe" and connect the dots.
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Serendipity. Look for something,
find something else, and realize
that what you've found is more
suited to your needs than what
you thought you were looking for.
—Lawrence Block
When my friend of thirty years and I are together, we love to wander with no plans or intentions.
We don’t try to hit a certain number of steps or burn off calories.
But, if we had to pick a goal, it would be to stay open to everything. To say “yes” without reservations. To let our curiosity guide us where it may.
And every single time, without fail, the universe rewards us.
We receive free concert tickets, complimentary drinks at a beer tent, meet someone who becomes a friend when we need one, stumble upon the perfect bagel shop at the edge of the woods when one of us says, “Do you want to get a bagel?”
We call these moments of unexpected joy—these delightful surprises life throws our way as “kisses from the universe.”
Life plants little smooches on our cheeks and says, “Keep doing what you’re doing. You’re on the right path.”
Some call it serendipity, a confusing word that arrived 270 years ago today, on January 28, riding a magic carpet from the mysterious land of Serendip.
The Land of Serendip
A published story in 1557 tells the tale of King Jafer, the ruler of Serendip (ancient Sri Lanka), who sent his three sons on a journey to learn essential life lessons.
While traveling, the princes experienced a series of fortunate events that led them to make surprising discoveries and solve complex problems.
On January 28, 1751, the renowned English writer Horace Walpole wrote a letter to a friend describing an unexpected discovery of a lost painting.
“This discovery indeed is almost of that kind which I call Serendipity, a very expressive word . . .”
He explained that the word serendipity came from a “silly fairy tale” he once read called The Three Princes of Serendip.
“. . . as their highnesses traveled, they were always making discoveries, by accidents and sagacity, of things which they were not in quest of…”
Accidents and Sagacity
We all want to be masters of our universe, control our future, stay on course, keep to the plan at all costs.
But how do we explain those accidental discoveries, chance meetings, wild coincidences, and unexpected events that changed our lives forever?
How did you meet your partner? Were you at the right place at the right time?
How did you find that perfect house? Did it appear “out of the blue” as you traveled an unfamiliar road?
The most mundane moments can morph into life-changing experiences with no warning, guide, or plan, as they often do in the scientific world.
A chemical spills into another; cells combine in dirty Petri dishes; chocolate collides with peanut butter.
Because of these accidental discoveries, we now have Velcro, microwaves, penicillin, vaccines, Post-it Notes, potato chips, insulin, x-rays, chewing gum, brandy. And the list goes on and on.
But it’s not just about chance. You must also have the sagacity or wisdom to recognize and act on opportunities.
Or, as Louis Pasteur said, it’s when “Chance favors the prepared mind.”
Katherine Johnson, a mathematician working at NASA in the 1960s, was prepared when John Glenn asked her to calculate the trajectory for his historic first orbital spaceflight.
“It was serendipity that called her in the countdown to John Glenn’s flight,” wrote Margot Lee Shetterly in her book Hidden Figures. “He needed a human computer to check the output for his electronic calculating machine.”
Having a Serendipity Mindset
My friend and I may not discover lifesaving formulas or send people into space on our serendipity walks, but it can feel just as magical.
A knowing occurs, something in the air you can’t grasp, a connection that says, “Go this way’” or “Look over there.”
You can’t control serendipity but can control your mindset to recognize it.
As Steve Jobs described, it takes intentional effort to connect the dots and see the patterns unfold in all their glory, an invitation to play.
I met a friend during a serendipitous moment. We were both lonely, so we went to the movies, had dinners together. I even rode on the back of his motorcycle, laughing as the wind hit my face.
He came at the right time, filled a broken space, and left just as suddenly when my heart mended. Perfect timing; everything falling into place.
Imagine all those times—the missed opportunities when serendipity was right there, but we were too busy to recognize or act on them. The magic is gone like dying fireworks embers on a summer’s night.
So what can we do to grab these moments with both hands, know how to connect the dots, and create a life of accidental wonders and discovery?
The answer is simple: pay attention.
Many of us go through life with blinders, too focused on our agendas and goals to notice what’s happening around us.
By setting an intention for openness and allowing our intuition to guide us into the unknown, opportunities drop like manna from heaven because you’re more receptive to them.
You must become like a child, be curious, let go of expectations, and allow yourself to be fully present.
When the mind is free from beliefs, opinions, biases, and judgments, it stays open and available to whatever comes along.
Who knows? Maybe there’s free beer in your future, too!
Activities to do this week:
Spontaneous Day Trip Checklist: Your Unscripted Adventure Guide
Do you have a serendipity story? Please share!
Animals are serendipitous in my life. They find me when I think I have no room, no time for more. And they turn out to be just what I needed ❤️
Wonderful! I recently moved to a new city, and so nearly every real-life social interaction I've had of late is serendipitous! And boy, I appreciate them! Thanks so much for sharing this.