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thatcaliforniagirl13's picture

Let Serendipity Come to You

 In the last pages of Schwartz's The Paradox of Choice, he makes a claim that allowing for serendipity makes things more enjoyable. Serendipity is the happiness in making a discovery of something unexpected or accidental. I agree with Schwartz that the spontaneity of something definitely allows it to be more enjoyable. It, however, also depends on the amount of serendipity a person has in their life. Like Ellen, I feel that allowing serendipity and having total control are two extremes. Yes, it feels good knowing that you have some control in your life to make adequate choices, but isn't having too much control a little insane? A little bit of serendipity every now and then can keep a person in balance. Not being too in control, while also allowing those random, yet enjoyable moments to occur in life.

I have to agree with Maiya that serendipity isn't something that shouldn't be searched for, but something that just comes to you. Searching and searching for something and never finding it only distresses the mind. It is better to just let serendipity come to you and when it does, soak it up as much as possible especially because you never know when it will come around your neighborhood once again.

Unlike Katie, I find myself not so excited in finding slips in my mailbox. My mom tends to tell me ahead of time that she's sending me a package. Therefore, when I finally do get the package, I just say, "Oh another package from Mom." The "heads up" from my mom  definitely make receiving something less enjoyable. There is no serendipity in my mail box at this point. Too bad. It will come one day.

 
 

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