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 Serendipity: “an aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident” - dictionary.com

         When Schwarts says to “allow for serendipity,” he does not mean that one should try to force serendipity or actively look for desirable accidental discoveries.  He means that one should permit oneself to happen upon them.  The maximizers he describes do not often allow for serendipity because they are so caught up in planning everything out and sticking to their schedule or goal that they often miss opportunities along the way.  I think that Schwartz is encouraging us to slow down, think about our choices, but so as not to be overwhelmed by them, take them as they come.  This does not sit back and let life come to you.  Often “desirable discoveries” are presented while being active and involved in something else.  Opportunities are often presented, but we are not looking for them or haven’t learned to recognize them.  This sometimes entails taking a chance that could end in an undesirable discovery, but I think the risk is worth it.

         Over the past few years I have become better at allowing for serendipity.  I have discovered that happening upon “desirable discoveries” is not always because of luck. It is about being spontaneous, curious, and open to situations and opportunities.  College is the perfect opportunity for this: go to the club meeting because there will be free food; go to a party because a cute guy you know is going; take the brochure from the group standing on the street corner; go to a performance because you’ve never heard of the group before…

I once had a teacher who would frequently ask us is we had seen anything beautiful that day.  We were busy students who had been rushing from class to class and doing our homework in our little spare time.  We had not paused to notice a tree that morning, the sunrise, the wind ripple the grass, or a passing cloud.  As he continued to ask us this question I began to notice more beautiful things around me.  Allowing for serendipity is a similar concept – we just need to open our eyes.