Coincidence or Serendipity?

Have you ever had something happen to you that leaves you wondering if it was sheer coincidence, divine intervention, or a serendipitous moment?

To some the answer is clear. To others, it can be argued either way.

I’ve always been an “it can be argued either way” kind of person. If you’re like me, then you know that when you experience a coincidence, you spend more time trying to find a reasonable explanation for it than anything else. You become like a detective, digging deep into your memory and looking for every clue that could lead to answer why things happened the way they did. This used to happen to me a lot.

But a conversation with my dear friend, Dave Bricker, changed the way I look at coincidences forever.

He said, “It doesn’t matter whether the things that happen are coincidences or sent from above. What matters is that you enjoy the mystery.”

Enjoy The Mystery

Those words penetrated my soul and gave me permission to stop trying to find explanations for everything and start enjoying the process. It allowed me to look at the world with wonder and gratitude — something I call having “Big Eyes.” The result: my heart is full and my world is more magical than it has ever been before and I love that!

I’ve also found that the more “coincidences” I welcome, the more I receive.  Which leads me to share the coolest thing that happened to me the other day!

I hired a company, The Self-Publishing Agency, to help me with the launch of my upcoming book. (Have I told you I wrote a book?) They’re responsible for picking the launch date. During our strategy call, we concluded that the book would be a wonderful “winter read” and that I should publish it sometime between November and December. My agent then asked, “Do you have a sentimental attachment to any date?”

The first thought that ran through my mind was: My birthday is in December. Imagine if I were to launch on my 40th birthday. That would be so cool! 

My response was: “No, I don’t have any sentimental attachments to a date.”

Why? Because I felt silly telling an agent I’d want my launch to be on my birthday. I should be more professional than that.

I waited in silence as she quietly browsed through her calendar.

“We could publish any time between December 6th, 7th, and the 8th. But I’m thinking the ideal date for your launch would be Sunday the 8th. Would that work for you?”

I gasped.

“December 8th is my 40th birthday,” I replied.

She laughed. “Why didn’t you say so? That’s totally a sentimental date. Unless you don’t want to publish on your birthday, which is also fine … we could choose a different option.”

“No, no, December 8th is perfect!” I interrupted. “I didn’t want to sound silly by requesting that date, but my goal for the year was to become a published author before I turn 40. I just can’t believe you chose that day.”

“It is meant to be,” she giggled. “December 8th is on the calendar.”

And just like that, the date of my book launch became a mystery I get to enjoy.  Whether it’s a sheer coincidence or a serendipitous moment? I don’t know for sure. All I know is that I’m delighted to come along for the ride.

A Moment Of Clarity

It doesn’t matter if the special moments in your life are coincidence or serendipity. What matters is that you look at life with big eyes — enjoying the mystery and being grateful you get to live it.