Coincidence and Serendipitous Paths

Serendipity: the effect by which one accidentally stumbles upon something fortunate, especially while looking for something entirely unrelated.

Coincidence: a striking occurrence of two or more events at one time apparently by mere chance.

Is it enough to acknowledge coincidence and or serendipity without taking action to benefit from this most gracious gift?

I very much enjoy reading books and have always believed that certain books are presented to us in a moment when we need to hear the message in the book, often an answer to a question we have pondered and put out into the universe. After my last post and discouragement with the marketing results I've had with my artwork, I thought my goal for the new year would be to seriously take action to put together a body of work, a professional portfolio and work to get into galleries (something that I've always found intimidating and therefore procrastinated with every excuse in the world to avoid doing).

Recently at an art group meeting my friend Rae brought the book "Starving To Successful" by Jason Horejs and although hadn't finished the book yet, recommended it to the group. When leaving the meeting, Rae had forgotten the book and although I knew I wouldn't see Rae for probably a week or more as we don't live near each other, I volunteered to take the book and return it to her. I read the book over the next 2 days and then mailed it back to Rae as she was anxious to finish it. In the book Jason provides the biography that he had written for an artist named Bob as an example of a quality biography for artists. A year prior, I was introduced to Bob when mutual friends brought him to my house for a New Year's Eve party. Bob is a quiet man of few words and I learned more from Jason's write up on Bob than I had from the past year's conversations with him directly. By reading Jason's book I now feel I know my friend Bob a little better. A few days after reading the book, my friend Lance from WA called to say he would be in Arizona soon to show his sculpture at the Tempe Festival of the Arts. I had planned to meet up with Lance prior to the festival. He mentioned that he had to meet with his gallery in Scottsdale but then we could meet for lunch after that and visit the galleries in the area. Turns out - guess what? Yes - the gallery was Xanadu Gallery in Scottsdale which is owned by Jason Horejs who's book I had just read.

When the answer to your question hits you right in the face - don't just take note - take action! Message received! I"m taking action on this message of Serendipity & Coincidence and purchasing the book, rereading it again and following all the steps to move forward with the business of art.