Category Archives: Serendipity

Leave room for the universe to work its magic

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Leave room for the universe to work its magic. Seek surprises in serendipity.

—Calm App Reflection

 Image from Unsplash by Brooke Cagle

A couple of weeks ago we traveled about 90 miles from our home to the American Dream Mall outside New York City, with family and friends.

It happened to be my daughter’s birthday, and although I dislike crowds and shopping, I’d do anything for my daughter.

This mall rivals the Mall of America and contains dozens of attractions including an a Nickelodeon theme park, a DreamWorks waterpark, Legoland, a Sealife Aquarium, and an indoor Big Snow skiing facility.

Everything there was big, colorful and loud. It also happened to be a rainy Sunday which seemed to give everyone in the region the same idea.

EXERCISE:

How long has it been since you ventured out beyond your local world into the expanding universe?

How might doing so work its magic and surprise you in ways you never imagined?

One’s life begins on so many occasions, constructing itself out of accident derived from coincidence compounded by character

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“One’s life begins on so many occasions, constructing itself out of accident derived from coincidence compounded by character.”

—Donald Hall, 20th Century American poet, writer, editor and literary critic

Image from Unsplash by Kyle Glenn

How often do you reflect on your life and how you arrived at where you are today?

What are some of the pivotal moments—big and small—that changed your life direction and set you on different paths than those you intended?

Although we wish to believe that we have complete control over our lives and can be self-determined, we can all see countless examples in which that was not the case.

Accidents, coincidences, and serendipity play a considerable role in where we end up.

Fortunately,  our character—which we develop over time—act as a gyroscope to help us regain our headings when certain events knock us off course.

EXERCISE:

What are some of the essential elements of your character?

How have they kept you centered and stable over the years, to keep your life unfolding as you intend?