All from the eternal memory of a chance moment All from the eternal memory of a chance moment © 2025 Elin Babcock; Elyse Black; Magdalena Brzezinska; Carmen Camilleri; Robin Cox; Edward Cromarty; Dmitry Finozhenok; Romina Guerra; Judith Gutlerner; Aki Halme; Abeer Hassan; Iwona Hetman-Pawlaczyk; Yulia Ivanova; Anthony Kolasny; Agneta M. Lindh; Dexter Mac; Alicja Nalewajko; Guðný Sigridur Olafsdottir; Renske Oort; Mieke van Os; Ola Porebska; Sayafika; Sonia Roychowdhury; Laura Maria Scasso; Cathy Silk; Arevhat Simonyants; Zita Toth; Dąbrówka Ujec; Natasha Vanderlinden; Simona Vasilache; Cynthia Willett
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher.
The title of the volume was borrowed from Elin Babcock’s Gifts on the Trail.
©CoverArt:MagdalenaBrzezinska Poznan, Poland 30. 11. 2025
Foreword Every major benchmark or milestone is as challenging as it is rewarding,particularlywhenitisassignificantas10years.Youreach it, reflect on the decade, feel immense gratitude toward the participants and readers, and then the thought appears: now what? You look back at all the volumes filled with incredible art and literature,atallthefacesandthebiographiesbehindthem,andyou start wondering in what ways you may have met their expectations andhowyoumayhavedisappointedthem.
Oneofthedisappointmentsmusthavebeenmydisappearancefrom FacebookwhenIdidnotagreetoMetaprocessingmydata.Facebook was our original meeting platform. The place where project events were created and motivational messages posted. Another disappointment must have been when I gathered a unique group of enthusiasts connected to the project, hoping we would organize an inspiring competition for students, with real prizes. Then life got in theway,andthecompetitiondidnothappen.Iamverysorryforthat andforanyothershadowImayhaveunwillinglycast.
Thisyear,itwasmuchhardertoorganizetheproject.Ididmanageto sneakintoFacebookonceortwicetosetuptheevent,butthenSonia kindly took over, as the hack no longer worked for me. It is all the more uplifting that 30 people still confided in me. To paraphrase Emily Dickinson, whose motto appears on our website: you have saved this heart from breaking, and words cannot express how indebtedIamtoyou.
We began another decade reflecting on serendipity, defined as “the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficialway,”whichweinterpretedinourusual,uniqueways.Let ushope serendipity willhelpusfindapathforward.
Magdalena Brzezinska
Guðný Sigridur Olafsdottir, Iceland
Serendipity If words smell serendipity smells of freshness dawn in spring, earthly aroma fragrance in nature beginnings.
If words sound serendipity sounds soft and loud hopeful, luring, appealing now a gentle breeze now a soft whisper from trees now a roaring sea a thunderous storm.
If words feel serendipity feels of vibrations of surprises of roads not taken of paths not trodden serene deep puzzles.
No pity, only hope Chaos? maybe Order? who knows?
Serendipity
Us – Earthlings – Endings and Beginnings.
July 2025
Maria Laura Scasso, Argentina
Elin Babcock, USA
Gifts On Trail Ilovedsolitaryhikesthroughparksandupmountaintrails.Itwasmy"moving meditation".Inperfectweather,rainorsnow,naturebefriendedme.Inwinter, fewhikerspassed.Insummer,whengadscame-touristsandlocalkidsoffschoolIchangedtrailstothebackcountry.
Onedayonthetrail,Ianswered"HappyEverything"toawomanandaman's robotic"morning".Theshortwomanturned,laughed,andsaid'thanks'.Thetaller mansmiledandwaved.
Walkingaway,Ifeltflushed,foolish,butinternallyuplifted.Thetrailseemed easier.Thechillymorning,warmerandme,happier.
Afewweekslater,onanarrowtrail,Ilookeddownatastrugglingwoman.Shewas over-packedandheavy-dressedlikesheworeeverythingsheowned.Herblond, disheveledhairfellfromherredknittedcaptohershoulders.
Shenervouslylookedaway.
Iblurted,"HappyEverything!"AsIpassedquicklyandheardasoundbehindme andturned.Herpackhadfallen. Shesatsprawledonthecoldtrailandshouted, "Oh,thanks."Herfacewasglowing.
"Youokay"?
"Yea.Nooneeverpaysattentiontome.So,"happyeverything"back.I'llpassthat on.I'mDiana."
Shesaid,"YouaremyAngel."Ibegantoaddthattomy“HappyEverything”.Twice, Istoppedbyherbranchdwellingsinthemountains.Wesharedmyfoodandcoffee. Shereadamazingstoriesfromheavybagsofjournals.Twoyearslater,Ireadan articlebyanaward-winningauthor.ThephotowasofDiana.
Thenextsummer,comingaroundthecorneruphill,Iheardasoundandfroze. Coulditbe...Bear?Deer?Skunk?
Asecondarysoundandsnap,coupledwithbush-rattling,wasfearfuluntilIsaw whoitwasandletoutabreathofrelief."Paul."
Hesmiled."Hello,"HappyEverything"hiker."
Weembraced.Helaughed."Canwesitandcatchup?"
"Sure",Isaid,digginginmybackpack.Ipulledoutmythermosandhandedhima steamingcoffeecupbiggerthanthelidIusedfromthethermos.Searchingagain. "Oh,can'teatallthistrailmix.Helpme?"
"Sure.Wow,amazingfood.”
Magdalena Brzezinska, Poland
“What'snew?"
"School.IgraduatedandgotajobofferinSpain.Iwantedonemoresleepoverin ourmountainsbeforeIleft.“
"Anythingelse?"
"You!Youneverfaked"HappyEverything".Istillrememberyourdeepfeelings. Haven'tseenyoutillnow,butyourgreetinggrew.Istartedsayingittopeopleon campus.Itwentviral.Itstartedfromyou.Bigthanks."
Isniffed."IthoughtIwasupliftingpeople,buttheyupliftedmemore. HegavemeaKleenex.
Ilookedathim."Youaremyangel."
Paulsaid,"Hey,I'musingthat,too,butinSpanish."
Theyearspassed.Themanypreciousencounterscameandwent.ButIholdthe storiesinmyheart.Allfromtheeternalmemoryofachancemoment.
YouaremyAngel HappyEverything
Elin Babcock, USA
Itwasastifling-hotdaythatMondaymorning. Touristswereattheirpeakin sunnyMalta.
So,Amandathoughtshe'dheadtotheoldcityofMdina,whichhadbeenbuilthigh upinRabat.Becauseoftheoldcity'shighlocation,Amandathoughtthatshe'd experiencesometypeofcoolbreeze.Withthisinmind,sheputonhershortsand t-shirt,grabbedherblackhandbag,andoffshewent.
Shehadlefthermothercountrysometenyearsbefore,withthehopeof overcomingtheheartbreakthatabrokenrelationshipbringswithit.
Memoriesstartedfloodingacrosshermind.Sherememberedherfamilyandtheir tearfulgoodbyes.NoneofthemknewthatshewasonholidayinMalta. Shemeant togiveasurprisevisittohermotherandfather.Theywereahumblecouplewho livedinthequaintvillageofRabat. Hermotherhadalwaysdedicatedherlifetothe full-timecareofherlargefamily,andherfatherdidsomeoddjobsnowandthen.
Assheenteredthesilentcity,asMdinaiscalled,shecouldhearahorse'shoovesas itwasslowlydrawingacarriagefulloftourists.
Andassheturnedthecorner,shecouldn'tbelievewhatshesaw.Butforsure,this wasserendipityatitsbest.Drivingthecarriage,dressedinalightblueT-shirt,was herdearfather.
Shouldsheshoutouttohimanddrawhisattention?Whatshouldshedo?The horse-drawncarriagestoppedsuddenly.Herfatherhadseenherandwasbeaming fromeartoear.
Heleapeddownandhuggedhertohim,tearsrunningdownhiswrinkledface.His beautifuldaughterwasback.That'swhatmattered.
Artandproseby Carmen Camilleri, Malta
The Meeting (An Unexpected meeting with a friend which led to a serendipitous outcome….)
It takes courage she said to find your own self, to do what you want, to step out of your comfort zone.
You are responsible she said for your own happinesses, be curious in life, Pursue things that pique your interest.
Seek little things, she said that turn into moments of joy, Follow your heart, Do what is right by you.
Explore the world, she said with a burning passion, Light up your path Be your own serendipity.
Art and poetry by Sonia Roychowdhury, India
Guðný Sigridur Olafsdottir, Iceland
The Links An article about MOOCs Curious to explore more, I joined various courses Wondering what was in store.
Over the years, I made new connections, all over the world, In different directions.
I was then introduced to our project “ Linking Worlds “. By a dear friend And things unfurled..
I started my journey on this new path.. And there is no mystery as the rest is history….
It unlocked an unknown potential, which I never knew I had. One of the most serendipitous things in life, That made me forever glad.
Sonia Roychowdhury, India
For Future Generations "Weareshapedandfashionedbywhatwelove.--Goethe"hasalwaysbeena favoritequote.Ourinterests,hopes,anddreamsguideanddefineusthroughout ourlife. In2012,MassiveOpenOnlineCourses(MOOCs)werebecomingpopular. MOOCsarefreeonlinecoursesonavarietyoftopicsfrommanyprestigious universities.InWashingtonDC,adiscussiongroupformedwherewesharedour courseinterestsandexperiences.Thegroupwouldmeetatacoffeeshop,andwe wouldhavemanylivelydiscussionsonworldevents,science,art,literature, poetry,orwhateverthegroupfanciedtoexplore.Duringthistime,theCoursera Mentorprograminvitedmetojoinandsharetheseexperiencesinordertohelp improvetheirplatform.ItwasduringoneofthesesessionsthatIhad thegood fortunetovirtuallymeetMagdalenaBrzezinska.Overtheyears,theCoursera Mentorprogram becameacloseknitgroupoffriendssharingandlearningabout eachother. Duetovariouscircumstances,thementorprogramwasdisbanded,but somemembersbecameFacebookfriendstokeepincontact. ItwasthenthatI learnedaboutMagdalena'screativewritingprojectcalledLinkingWords.
Magdalena'syearlythemeswerethought-provokingandinspiring.Theyprompted metowriteaboutfamily,friends,andlifeexperiencesthatIwouldhavenever otherwisewrittendown.
Thisyear,myfathersadlypassedaway.Ihavemanyfondmemoriesthroughout theyearswithhim.Duringchildhood,myfatherwouldtakethefamilyandinvite ourneighborhoodfriendstothepark.We'dfillthebackseatofthecarwithlayers ofkidsbeforetheeraofseatbeltlawsandenjoyabeautifulday.Apopularactivity duringourparkadventuresformewasclimbingtreesandmydadwouldfollow along.Mymomtookamemorablephotoofmeandmydadlookingdowntowards thegroundfromhighabove.
It'salwaysinterestinghowaphotocapturesamomentbutthereissomuchmore outofframeandmoretothestory.Mymomhadalwayspreparedlovelypicnic foodsonthesetripswhiletherestofuswouldbeoffplayingandexploring.She'd bepreparingforourreturnwithamagnificentlunch.Thephotoconjuresmany beautifulfallwalks,picnics,andtimewithfamilyandfriends.
Now,Iamagrandfather.Someday,agrandchildmaycomeacrossthesewritings anddiscoversomethingabouttheirfamilyhistory.ItisserendipitousthatImet Magdalena,andIamgratefulthatfuturegenerationsmayenjoysomeofthese tales.
Photo and prose by Anthony Kolasny, USA
At All Odds, capturedby Iwona Hetman-Pawlaczyk, Poland
The twists of fate These very verses, emerging one after another, do not come from nowhere
They form a web of steps
Both deliberate and coincidental
They are a mosaic of the people who have crossed your path, awakening your ‘self’
It is thanks to your ancestors that you are here today to pass the baton on to future generations
Every day, you contribute something of yourself
Sometimes you live lightly, to the fullest
Then, you are given the task of moving mountains
Every single moment matters
Gradually, they all add up
Every day is shaped by fate
It`s worth trusting your intuition
by Iwona Hetman-Pawlaczyk, Poland
Sisters Twin hearts born of starlight
Two sides of the same coin
Melded together
Destinies conjoined.
Alike, yet wholly different
Allies and confidants
So attuned as to divine Each other’s unsaid thoughts. Why was Fortune smiling? Were the deities at play?
Despite all probability What stars aligned that day? For from a stormy universe
Into each life was tossed
A lifeline of support and love That never could be lost.
24/Sep/25
Photoandpoemby Natasha Vanderlinden, USA
Yulia Ivanova, Russia
Three Princesses of Serendip Act I
Aadhavan
My dear daughters, the time has come
To remember aging’s no fun
Dusk follows dawn, each life that begun
Ends in the shade of the banyan
My kin, share this moment with me
Sip the sweet, milky black tea
Then travel and learn, and seek free
The wisdom in foreign degrees
Soon you three will reign. Find the way
Tradition alone could lead you astray
Seek wisdom wherever it lay
But which paths will you choose to take?
Lakshmi, Sahana and Ishara
The eldest, Lakshmi, made her choice
She would study how wealth employs
Time and effort to mundane toils
What is the worth of all those coins?
For Sahana, the medical field
A lack of health always reveals
Good care’s the first of all needs
All else will fade until one heals
Young Ishara, with her pensive gaze
Mused, does truth hide where data streams race
Patterns guide where paths would be veiled
The light of the mind will never fade
Yulia Ivanova, Russia
Act II Aadhavan
Your safe return home has me smiling
Share tea and news where jaguars sing
Scent of cinnamon is pleasing
Cool the shade of banyan, sweet the jasmine
Far and wide led your wisdom search
You studied wealth, the ways of commerce
And health, how lives do commence
How raw data can, through reason, merge
Many lessons have nations spun
You studied well, my dearest ones
What did you learn from rising sun?
What have west, what the Old World done?
Lakshmi
A glimmer of gold
Polished bright on blood and sweat
Of those who own less
Firms that strive to outperform
Creating needs where there were none
Sahana
Lands of suffering
Regardless, the old live on
Pretend to be young
Medicine sold for profit
Health and harmony both lost
Ishara
New, digital minds
Built to find hidden answers
Scare their own creators
As in the book of Mary Shelley
Men proved too smart to be wise
Yulia Ivanova, Russia
Act III Aadhavan
Three strong roots support healthy growth
The old, the new, and what to avoid
Those together may then compose
A path that leads our nation whole
You learned much while you were away
Progress, both good and gone astray
From all that you found, one question remainsWhat should we keep and what goes to waste?
Lakshmi
All life is one this truth endures
To live as one, we must ensure
Wealth must serve all, and not rule
Greed cannot guide to goals that are pure
Sahana
Life is sacred, not mere careers
The point is not just to lengthen years
But hold the hand and calm the fears
Journey stays good when the end nears
Ishara
Easy to ask how. What matters is why
Keep purpose clear, walk, and then fly
Walk hand in hand, both machine and mind
Truth sets free, and truth gently binds
All Together
All of life seen as one big city
Each lesson joined without adversity
Gentle, giving humilityEssential serendipity
Aki Halme, Finland
Zita Tóth, Hungary/Scotland
August18,2025
Serendipity: A Happy Ending Serendipityissomethinggoodthathappensbychanceinsituationsthatappearto bemisfortune.TheoriginsofthewordserendipityarefoundinaPersianfairytale calledtheThreePrincesofSerendip,inwhichthreewiseprincesaresentbythe kingonajourneythroughthekingdomwheretheylearnthroughexperiencethat misfortunecanleadtofortune.
Inthefable,thefortunesaredescribedintermsofgreaterwealth,success,and status.Thethreeprinces,fortheirwisdomthatsomethinggoodcanoccurfrom everysituation,weremarriedtoprincessesandbecamekings.Thismadetheir father,thekingofSerendip,veryhappy,andthethreeprinceslivedhappilyever after.
ThemodernnameforthenationofSerendipisSriLanka.SriLanka,oneofthefirst BuddhistnationsinwhichBuddhismarrivedinthefifthcenturyBC,hasagreat spiritualtradition.ThestoryofthethreeprincesofSerendiphasahappyending. Inthestory,eventhroughmisfortune-wisdom,trust,andlovemayresultin fortuneandhappiness.Happinessisavailabletoallpeople-theking,theprince, andthefarmer.Expectationsmaybedeceiving,asmisfortunemayleadtofortune. Wisdomhelpstofindthefortunethatcancomefromadversity.Welearnthateven afterfindingprosperity,itisgoodnessandhappinessforwhichwestrive.Itisa storythathasinspiredmetolookatlifeeventswithanewperspective,thegreater wisdomthathappinessandgoodfortunemaybetheoutcomeofunhappy situations.
Edward Cromarty, USA
Believe... When you believe in miracles, They happen in your life. Some people disagree with me And say that’s better to be a billionaire’s wife.
You can afford a lot of things
Try to remember, when you work: sweat stinks. But if you have a charming chance To run away from your job’s glance Why not use this opportunity of luck? You’ll fly away as if you were a lark. All whimsy wishes will come true And destiny is going to support you, too.
However, you will not enjoy the emptiness inside, If you don’t know the value of the harmony which is outside. When people seek hedonism and only euphoria, They’ll get a surprise of egoism – the largest melancholia. As a result, instead of blooming It’s possible to see yourself alone and gloomy.
The real fortune we should have – desire To burn our hearts for real love and fire. Discovery of something new and full of light, Which can become your sunshine or the starlight.
A man who has the ability to wonder Will find his way through storm and thunder. So, wish yourself good luck and peace
Thus, you’ll achieve your happiness and bliss!
25.09.2025
Artandpoetryby Arevhat Simonyants, Uzbekistan
Serendipity Doyourememberyourfailuresbetterthanyourwins?
Irememberthepivotalmomentsintime,likecryingafterafailedexam.ThefirstoneI failed.Theonly.ThelastoneofthefirstyearofGermanPhilology,forwhichIworkedfor fiveyearstogetinto. Theexamactuallywentwell,thefeedbackfromtheexaminerswas verypositive. Allthemorebafflingwasthefailingmark. Itfeltlikeamessage,ironically, insomenon-verbal,symbolicwayIcouldnotfathom. Subsequently,Ifloundered.Meandered.Feltlost.Icouldnotseethepathforward.
Enterserendipity. Myparentsquiteaccidentallycameacrossthisnewschooltheyliked. Itwasinanothercity,inanotherfieldofstudy,oneIhavenotencounteredbefore: InformationTechnologyinBielsko-Biała. TosayIwasnotinterestedwouldbean understatement. IsatinfrontofacomputerexactlyONCEbefore. Ittookthem3daysof negotiationstowrangleaYESfromme.
Ilefteverythingbehind,allIknew,allmyfriends,mywholefutureIinvestedsoheavily into.Thenextthreeyearswerethemosttrying. Forgingmyworldanew–new relationship,newmindset,awholenewworldoftechnology. Icameoutontheotherside closertomydreamscomingtruethanever.
Forunbeknownsttome,theuniversewasconspiringtoleadmetomy3bigwishes:
- beindependent; - havemyownhouse; - speakEnglisheveryday.
AlltheingredientstofulfilthesewerecomingtogetherintheshapeofAustralia. Now,enrichedinafamilyofourown,wemigratedtotheotherendoftheworld. Startinganewagain,leavingallbehind,havingtofindnewfriends,andourselvesinthe newrealityofthisforeignland. Lookingforanapartmenttorent,Iopenedthemapof BrisbaneonarandompageandsawthenameofasuburbIliked:SeventeenMileRocks. I thought,“OnedayIwouldliketolivethere.”
Afewyearslater,wewerelookingforahousetobuy. Wesawallthehousesmatching ourcriteria,andnothingwasquiteright. Weexpandedthesearchtothosenottickingall theboxes. OneofthoseIfellinlovewith. ThemomentIwalkedin,Ihadaverystrong feelingthatthiswasmyhouse. Ionlyperfunctorilyinspectedit,buteachmomentwas drawingmedeeperintothestrongconvictionthatthisistheone. Weputinanofferand arrangedforapestinspection. Meanwhile,Ihadvividdreamsoflivinginit. When termitedamagewasdiscovered,wehadtowithdrawtheoffer. Iwasdevastated.
Thenexthouseweinspectedsurprisinglytickedallourboxes. Tenminutesin,we decidedtobuyit.InSeventeenMileRocks. Andhereweare,independent,andspeaking Englisheveryday.
Thosedarkestmomentsarejustbeforethedawn. Whensomethingyouthoughtyoulost isserendipityworkingitsmagic.
Photoandstoryby Ola Porebska, Poland/Australia
A scene created in front of our eyes, giving a sense of unexpected inner jubilation. An everyday serendipity which goes unnoticed.
Photoandreflectionby Abeer Hassan, Egypt
PhotobyBoudewijnHuijgens.Publicdomain.
I’mwritingastory.
Pureimaginationtakesmeplacesintimeandspace, buttruetomyselfandmyloveforresearch,Ianchorthetaleinreality. OneofthecharactersinthestoryInameDalinda, aftermypaternalgreat-grandmother.
Thisconnectsmetomypaternalgrandfatheraswell, asIusehischildhooddrawingsinmystory.
Decipheringmypaternalgrandmother’shandwrittenrecipes, Itryonepackedwithalmonds,butter,andcinnamon. Thecookieiscalled Serendipity.
Inthestory,thereisashipleavingforfarawayplaces. AsIsearchedforavesseltoplaceinmyfictionalworld, apictureofanocean-goingsteamship,builtin1884,appeared, andapostcardfromthelandingstageinLiverpool,dated1910, waswhatmadethetalefeeltrue.
Inchoosingthissteamboatformystory,awhispercametome: Examine your family history. Find Dalinda’s family.
IfIhadn’tstartedwritingthestoryandlookingforsuitablesteamboats, Iwouldn’thavestartedresearchingDalindanow. ButIdid.
WhenIexploredtheSwedishchurchrecords tracingmyfamily’shomesandmovements whathadoncebeenjustawrittenstorysuddenlybecamereal.
Mygreat-grandmotherDalindawasthedaughterofaMasterSmith atanironworksinVärmland,Sweden,duringthe19thcentury.
Shehadonesister,Helena,andthreebrothers:Oskar,Ernst,andPetrus. AllthebrothersemigratedtoNorthAmerica.
OskararrivedatCastleGardens,NewYork,in1887 andsettledinSaukRapids,Minnesota.
In1893,Ernstfollowed.
HearrivedatEllisIslandandjoinedOskarinSaukRapids.
UnabletofindPetrusonthepassengerlists,Ifeltstrangelyanxious. Whatbecameofhim?Didn’thearrive?
It’sunsettling.
Tearingmyselfawayfromthearchives,IviewclipsonYouTube aboutSwedishemigrationtotheUSAinthelate1800sandearly1900s.
It’sastonishingthatasteamshiptriptoAmericacostaworkerayear’swages andIsawwhatthecrampedemigrantquarterslookedlikeonboard.
Moreimportantly,whenIfoundOskar,Ialsofoundapictureofthe RMS Etruria. Theoceanlinerwasbuiltin1884fortheCunardLine andenteredserviceontheLiverpool–NewYorkroutein1885. The Etruria thatbroughtOskartoManhattan looksjustlikethehistoricalsteamshipIhadalreadychosenformyfictionalstory. Thatistheserendipityofresearch.
WhatofPetrus?
Ifoundhim.
HeenteredBostonandjoinedhisbrothersinSaukRapidsin1905 aplaceinMinnesotathatismuchliketheforestsandlakesheleftbehind.
IsprinkleandspicemystorywithNowandThen. Itouchtimebybakingacookiecalled Serendipity.
Photoandstoryby Agneta M. Lindh, Sweden
She thought she had set out on a journey. Yet she stood in the very same place, while the world slid past before her eyes.
She herself was the road.
Art and poetry by Dąbrówka Ujec, Poland/The Netherlands
L'Invorno serie Sounds of Heaven, Mieke van Os, The Netherlands
Out of the Blue Theunsoughtfind.Thereitis:theholygrail.Youdon’texpectitandyet,you recognizeitonthespot,asifsomeonesuddenlytappedyourshoulder.Whata luckycoincidence!Isthatreallythecase?
Yes,luckystrikes,theydoexist,butoftenthat’snotthecaseatall.Whatappearsto bealuckyshotisoftentheresultofasubconscioussearch.Anechoofdiscomfort thatyou’veexperiencedsomewhere,sometime,whichsuddenlyleadstoa seeminglyobvioussolutiontoaseeminglyinsolvableproblem.Spontaneous, Eureka!
However,there’smoretoitthanthat;thisdoesnotjusthappen.Fewthingsjustfall outofthesky.Theydependontheinterpretationyougivethemasaperson. Solutionscomefromanopenmind,awell-preparedmind,whichrequirescareful observation,subtlelogicalreasoning,flexibility,perseveranceandthecourageto takesideroads.Thismakesyoumoreawareofallthesignalsinlifeandchanges youfromastateofignorancetoastateofconsciousness,gatheringknowledgeand creatingspaceforyourintuitiontogrow.Cherishyourtalentfortheunexpected anddaretotakeoffyourblinders.Combinethefruitsofmemoryandtheworking mind,andyouwillsee:whatyoualwaysthoughthadnosolutionoratmostone optionmayexistathousandfold.
Inshort,thegiftandtalentforrecognisingthepotentialofchanceispartlyinnate andapersonalcharacteristic,butitislatentinallofus.Fortunately,itisalso somethingyoucancontinuetodevelopwhengiventheopportunitytoemerge.See itasapersonalchallengetoconnectmoredeeplywiththeworld:toexperience beautyandsurprisingmoments,enjoytheunexpectedjoyofdiscovery,and embracethetwistsandturnsofspontaneousencounters.Giveyourselfroomfor moresynchronicity;variationstestifytoahealthybeliefthatthereareno definitivesolutionsandinviteyoutobroaderanddeeperexplorationsand continuousreflection.Ingeneral,everythingisrelative,andalsoluckisarelative concept:nothingcomesfromnothing.
Goodluck!
Mieke van Os, Heeze, The Netherlands
gazeupwards gazepast thatraggededgeofrandom where luck lies eclipsed
Photo and haiku by Cathy Silk, The Netherlands
The Student Who Changed My Life Whoisthathandsomegreen-eyed,darkcurlyhairedteacherwhoisteachinginthe samegradeasIam?“IhadwonderedasafirstyearteacherinNewYorkCity. Eachgradehadupto14differentclasses.Theywerearrangedbyacademicsuccess orfailureandbehavior.TheteacherIwasadmiringwasworkingwiththemost challenginggroupofstudents,agroupwhohadmanyknownbehavioraland learningissues.Heneverraisedhisvoice.Iwouldwatchinfascinationashewould calmlytalktothem,andadmiredhowmuchtheyrespectedhim.Hewouldmake themostperfecthusbandIthought.
Wewouldsurelyhavethemostbeautifulchildren.Theywouldhavehisbeautiful largegreeneyesanddarkhair.Ilovedthecontrastofdarkhairwithlighteyes. Bestofall,hewouldknowhowtodealwithalloftheirbehavioralissues.Butof course,thatwasjustadaydreambecauseourclassesneverinteractedexceptatan occasionalassemblyprogram.Iprobablyspentmoretimestaringathimthan payingattentiontowhateverassemblyprogramwasbeingpresentedatthattime.
Ihadonestudentinmyclass,Rosemary,whosebrotherwasinhisclass,her brotherbeinga challengingstudent.
ItcameasnosurprisewhenoneFridayafternoonRosemarytoldmethather brother’steacherwantedtotalktomeafterschool.Iassumedheneededtotalk aboutherbrotherandhopedtoenlistRosemary’shelpathomewithhim.Whyelse wouldhewanttotalktomesuddenly?ItoldhertotellhimIwouldbethere.
OnFridays,theschoolswouldemptyoutquickly.Allthestudentsrushedhomeand teachersfollowed.Iremembersittingaloneinmyclassroom,thehallsquiet, wonderingwhythisteacherwantedtoseeme.Iwasexcitedandnervous.He finallywalkedin,walkedovertoastudent‘sdeskandsatontopofit.Westarted talkingaboutschool.Iaskedhimaboutthedifficultieshewashavingworkingwith challengingstudents.Irememberhetoldmethatitwasallaboutbuildinggood relationships.Wetalkedforatleastahalfhour.Istillhadnocluewhyhewantedto seemeortalktome.Ihadtoask.
“Sowhatdidyouwanttotalktomeabout?”Ifinallyaskedhim. Helookedconfused.“Iwaswonderingthesame.Iwanttoknowwhatyouwanted totalktomeabout?Rosemarytoldmeyouneededtoseemeafterschooltoday whichiswhyI’mhere.”
Atfirst,Ididn’tunderstand.“NoRosemarytoldmeyouneededtoseemeafter schooltodaywhichiswhyIassumedyouwerehere.”
Andthensuddenly,atthesametime,weburstintolaughter.Wehadbeensetup!
Rosemaryhadengineeredthewholemeeting.ShetoldhimIwantedtoseehimand toldmehewantedtoseeme.
Anineyear-oldlittlegirlfooledusboth.
Andthenhesaidtome,“Sincewe’retogetherandit’sgettinglate,wouldyouliketo gooutfordinner?”
Itsoundedwonderfultome.Iwaseagertocontinuetalkingtohimandgettingto knowhim.Hemusthavefeltthesamewayaboutme.Becauseafterthatfirst dinnerdate,thereweremanymore.Twoyearslater,weweremarried.Rosemary cametoourwedding.Andoursonsbothhavebeautifullighteyeswithdarkhair.
Photosandstoryby Judy Gutlerner, USA
Magdalena Brzezinska, Poland
This moment
When we reached a student
That we hadn’t reached before
There were barriers:
Languages
Sense of belonging
Motivation
Engagement
Mood
She wasn’t seen
She wasn’t heard
She couldn’t join
She withdrew
Unexpectedly
We found a way A connection, a spark
She could join And think And learn With others
Using her own language too And she did
We found her
Reached her
She belonged I found my passion
My path forward
This moment, This smile
Renske Oort, The Netherlands/Germany
Wonders await us at every step… Almost dried out plant. Saying goodbye and… rewarded with the first-ever flower!
Artandreflection by Simona Vasilache, Romania/Japan
Serendipity, Mama Life Tell me, Mama Life, about serendipity
How do you know the secret to give When I need it most Even though I didn't trust You have granted all Through the darkest hour You reached my voice my trembling song On that broken field Mama Life, you were the only light An everlasting star That led my battle against fear An answer I was searching for ’til I surrendered underneath Your faithful wings
You offered me
The unexpected gift Mama Life, you taught me hard The accidental beauty Of everyday hope
***
Artandpoetryby Romina Guerra Alvarez, Chile
“Serendipityisthesoulofstreetphotography–astranger’sstory,writteninlightandluck.”
Photoandcaptionby Dexter Mac, USA
It isn’t true
that suffering makes us noble that work will set us free that what doesn’t kill will make us strong that someone somewhere will come to save us
It is true that a chestnut found by chance can bring joy that a kind word dropped like sunlight can change the day that when you walk against each other and cannot pass you dance on the sidewalk and laugh and neither of you meant to that a journey chosen on a whim can alter everything that random acts of kindness can stitch the world together that some clovers really do grow four leaves Look
Alicja Nalewajko, Poland
Putoutmyeyes
Cynthia Willett Silverpointonpreparedpaper,2025 8.5" x11.5"(21.59x29.21cm)
Inspiredby
Put Out My Eyes Put out my eyes, and I can see you still, Slam my ears to, and I can hear you yet; And without any feet can go to you; And tongueless, I can conjure you at will. Break off my arms, I shall take hold of you And grasp you with my heart as with a hand; Arrest my heart, my brain will beat as true; And if you set this brain of mine afire, Then on my blood-stream I yet will carry you.
Ranier Maria Rilke
Close
Cynthia Willett
Silverpointonpreparedpaper,2025
8.5" x11.5"(21.59x29.21cm)
Inspiredby
“With life as short as a half-taken breath, don’t plant anything but love.” Rumi
Guðný Sigridur Olafsdottir, Iceland
A bad place That’snothing!Acoupleofyearsback,Iwastheremyself.Droveanartistfrom Moscow,Semyon can’trecallhislastname.Skinnyfellow,almosttwometerstall. Alwayscarryinghispaintboxaround.Wewereheadingforahematitevein,with berylsontheschedule.Lotsoflow-gradestonesthere,buttouristsloveit.They runaroundwithhammerslikelunatics,youcan’tgetthembackinthecar.But sometimestheygetluckytoo thisspringtheyfoundanemerald.Rightbythe road.Cloudy,allcrackedup,butstillanemerald.I’dwalkedthereahundredtimes andneversawthething,andtheyfoundone Looksliketheplacefanciedthem.
There’sonlyoneroadthere youcan’tpasswithoutdrivingbythatdamned mountain.Andthemomentmytouristsawit,hesquealed: ‘Stop the car!’ Itoldhim, ‘Can’t stop here, the ezhin is strong and likes to play tricks.’ ButSemyonwouldn’t budge: ‘Stop the car, I’ll never forgive myself if I don’t paint it.’ Eyesalmostintears. Overthirtyyearsold,butlikeachild.
SoIstopped.Gotoutofthecar.And,truthbetold,itwasbeautiful.Mistis spreadingalongtheravine.Larchesarealreadyrusty.Andaboveitall,thereare mountains scary,ifyouthinkaboutit andmicaisglitteringontheslopes. Andthatone,bare,nobushes,notrees.
Igavethetouristinstructions: ‘This is sacred ground, show respect. And don’t take anything. We leave in an hour, I’m not driving back through the night spirits.’ When heheardwhotheywere,hejustlaughed.Doesn’tbelieveintales,yousee.Butthen wheredothewreathsonthetreescomefrom,eh?Theevilspiritpretendstobean oldgranny,begsaride.Nextthingyouknow,youwakeupinthehospital if you’reluckynottoendupintheotherworld.Buthedoesn’tbelieve!Heshould’ve traveledthetaigaasmuchasIhave.
Asforme,bettersafethansorry.Walkedtoabirch.Sprinkledwatertothefour sides.Threwsomerice. Tooreg, tooreg. Allproper.AndIfeltlighter.Stoodthere, midgesswirling,andIfeltatpeace.Timetomakeamends theroad’snoplacefor quarrels.
Magdalena Brzezinska, Poland
Icameback.Myartistwasn’twastingtime.Icouldneverdrawlikethat,andhewas doneintenminutes. ‘Good work,’ Isaid. ‘But what’s that?’ andIpointedtoared dotalittlebelowthecenter. ‘That,’ hesays, ‘is the center of the composition. The whole painting rests on it. As for what it is, I don’t know. Doesn’t matter.’ Ilooked closer hewasright,somethingdowntherewasglowingwithasoftlight.Sharpeyedguy!Andme,foolthatIam,Isaid, ‘Let’s go have a look.’ Stillcan’tfigureout why,likesomeonepulledmytongue.
Westarteddowntheslope.Iwatchedmystep,measuredeverymove,andhejust chargedstraightdown.Ithought, God forbid he slips, I’ll have to carry him on my back with a busted leg. Luckwasonourside. ‘Found it!’ heshouts.Pickssomething upfromtheground.Andfreezes.Likesomeonepressedpause.Irushedover.He stoodthere,notbreathing.Astatue.Andhiseyes—likeachild’s,allwonder.Itried toknockthatthingoutofhishands.AndthemomentItouchedit…
Ibecameafish.Ahugefish.Deepunderwater.Darknessallaround,nosun reachingus.ButIcouldfeelitallwithmynewbody:theweightofthedepths,the strongcurrent,thepowerfulstrokesofbigfishnearme,thejitteroffry.Weglided throughthewater,andwarmlanterns therewerelanternsthere littheway towardashiningbubbleahead.Itgrewcloserandcloserand…
‘Valery Anatolyevich! Valery Anatolyevich!’ Theartistkeptcallingmyname.And suddenlythetaigawasback:mist,rocks,burnets.Mycarontheroad.
Thespellbroke. ‘Can you walk?’ Semyonwasalreadyhaulingmeuptheslope. Isatbehindthewheel,calmeddown.Escaped,then.Stillalive.ToldSemyonthat wasenoughadventuresforoneday,I’dgivehimbackhismoney,andwedroveoff. Hejustnodded.Werodebacktotowninsilence.
Later,Itoldmyneighbor,smartman,worksattheuniversity.SaiditwaslikeI’d beenonanotherplanet.Andhegoes: ‘People who get brought back from death, they also talk about a journey toward the light.’ Andthathitmehard.Sincethen,Idon’t setfootinthetaiga.Tohellwithit.Youcan’tearnallthemoneyanyway.
Dmitry Finozhenok,
Russia
Magdalena Brzezinska, Poland
Tom Shelookedoutontothefrost-coveredwheatfieldbeyondthegardenandstoodin aweofitsmorningamberglow. Crowsflewoverheadandcalledout.Thesun climbedmoreslowlyinlateNovember.
Agunshotrangthroughthetrees. Shewrappedhershawlmoretightlyaroundher shouldersandsteppedoutintothekitchengarden. Someofthetenderherbshad wiltedundertheweightofthefrozendew,buttherosemarystoodstubbornlyin theearlymorning. Shebenttocutafewsprigs,glancingtowardthetreeline. PerhapsTomhadmissed.
Hehadgonebeforedawn,intentonaturkeyforThanksgiving.Theharvesthad beenpoor,withthemaizestuntedandtheapplesblighted.Tomhadspokenof littlebutloss,unwillingtobegrateful.Shehadurgedhimotherwise,thoughher ownbarrenbodymockedherwords.Still,theylived.Theyhadeachother.
Themorningpassedslowlyasshepreparedvegetablesfromthecellarbythefire. Tomhadstillnotreturned,andshebegantoworrythatshewouldnothavetimeto preparehisquarry.
Shortlyaftermidday,shesawafigureapproachingthroughtherippledglass windownearthedoor. ItwastootalltobeTom,anditshandsappearedtobe empty. Thefigureknocked. ItwasReverendMarshwithhisWellingtonhatinhis hands,hisheadhungdown.
“Mrs.Flood,”hesaid,“Ihaveterriblenews.” Tomhadfallenbythecreekwithhisbirdbesidehim. Hehadhithisheadbadly. TherewasnothingReverendMarshcoulddobutpraywithhim.
Shewept,herbodycollapsingintothenearestchair.ReverendMarshaskedifhe shouldfetchmentocarryTomtotheparsonage,wheretheservicemightbeheld. Shenodded.
“ReverendMarsh?”Hervoicecracked.
“Yes?”
“Bringmetheturkey.”
Hiseyesflashedinsurprise,almostdisapproval,butheagreed.
Byafternoon,Tomlayintheparsonage,andthebirdwasonhertable.Asmalltom, butplump.Shedresseditcarefullyandseasoneditwiththerosemaryshehad gathered.Whenallwasready,shehitchedthecartanddrovetotown.
“Gatherthosewithoutameal,”shetoldthereverend.“Asmanyaswillcome.”
Andsotheycame,offeringgratitudewherenoneshouldhavebeen.Theminister gavethanks,andtheyateuntilallwerefilled.
Afterthemeal,thetownsfolklingeredoutsidetheparsonage.Childrenplayed,and theadultschattered.Shestoodapart,watchingthelastlightslipbeyondthefields.
ReverendMarshjoinedher.“Idonotknowhowyoucould…”hestarted. Shenodded,thoughherthroattightened.“Givethanksinallcircumstances,”she saidsoftly.
Thereverendlookedatherforalongmoment,thenbowedhishead.“Indeed.”
Foramoment,shethoughtofthemorning. Itwasstillthesameday,andyet everythinghadchanged. Shedrewhershawltight. “Givethanksinall circumstances,”shewhispered.
Photoandstoryby Elyse Black, USA
Ruakaka Beach Cross
When God Calls, I Pick Up the Phone Asourceofinspirationwhenallelsefails.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. (2 Cor 1:3–5, NIV)
AsIreadthesewords,Iimmediatelyfeltasenseofgratitudefortheincrediblyspecial relationship IhavewithJesus,anon-judgmentalcheerleader,whoshowersmewithhis unconditionalloveandamultitudeofblessingseachandeveryday.
Nomatterwhatthesituation,IknowthatI never walkalone,and,asHefaithfullymodels Hisunconditionalloveinmylife,Iamencouragedtoreachouttootherswithaselfless Christlikeattitude.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9, NIV)
Overtheyears,differentpeoplehavecomeintomylifeatdifferenttimesandindifferent circumstances.Iwoulddescribesomeofthosemomentsaschanceencounters,whichled tosomesignificantrelationshipsbeingdevelopedattimeswhenIwasnotlookingfor suchrelationships.
Iamincrediblygratefultothehandfulofpeoplewhobecamemyclosestfriendsandwho ledmetowritethistributeofthankstothem,whichechoesmanyofthesentiments expressedintheabovepassagesfromScripture.
Guðný Sigridur Olafsdottir, Iceland
A FRIEND Someonetoshareone’sdeepestthoughts; Whounderstandsone’smoods,feelings,andemotions, Allthewhileknowinghowtodealwiththesesensitively, Andwithunconditionallove; Someonewithwhomonecancryunashamedlywhen Sad,upset,orsorrowful;
Yetsharethelighter,brightermomentsoflife’stravels; Asourceofinspirationwhenallelseseemstobefailing; Acrutchtoleanonthroughthedifficulttimes; Anon-judgmentallistener,allowingonetooffload,unburden, Releasethosepent-upfeelings,deephurts; Onewhogivesandsharesofoneselfandone’spossessions; WithwhomonecanhumbleoneselfbeforeGod, Prayingfromtheheartand,together, DiscoverHisgraceandgloriouspower.
Atruefriend
AgiftfromGod
Araregemtobenurtured,protected, Alwayslovedspiritually,emotionally,andphysically WiththeloveoftheLord.
Beach Cross Photo,reflections,andpoem by Robin Cox, New Zealand
Ruakaka
Sayafika, Japan
The day the Iron Curtain rose Youaretwenty,anEnglishPhilologystudent,andtoparaphrase Les Misérables, yourhopesarehigh,exceptyoulivebehindtheIronCurtainandcanonlydreamof visitingplaces.
Yourfatherbringshometravelbrochuresprintedonglossypaper.Youhaveno ideawherehegetsthem,andfrankly,youdon’tcare Theyoverflowwithpristine beachesandazureoceans.Peopleareasyoungasyou,buttheyaretannedand smiling,privileged.Themost you candoislistento“TwoOhEightLuxembourg” anddream.
Ifonlyyoucouldcrossthewesternborder.Ifonlyyoucouldspreadyourwings.If onlyyoucouldsoar.Asitis,youcangoonvacationtoyourgreyhometownin northeasternPoland.Thetownishalfthesizeofthecitywhereyoustudy.Itmay beniceforelderlypeoplewholiketogrowtomatoesandstrawberriesintheir allotments,butyouaretwenty,soyoucan’tquiteseethecharm.
YoujustlazeaboutuntilonedayyourMom,whoworksatadisabledfacility,says thatthereisanemergency.AgroupofBritishSamaritansisvisitingthefacility, theirinterpreterhasfallenill,andareplacementisbeingsoughtASAP.Youeagerly jumponboardandinstantlybondwithsomeoftheamazingvolunteers.Oneof them,anelderlyladynamedKat,isparticularlyfriendly.Youexchangecontact detailsandawarmhugwhenyoupartways.Heraddressincludesthenameofher house,Serendipity.
Summerends,andinthesnail-mailera,youkeepwritinglongletterstoeachother. Oneday,shesendsyouanopenletter,aninvitationtoGreatBritain.Youare ecstatic.Exceptyourauthoritiesrequireaveryspecifickindofinvitation,whichis morelikeaform,soyou’reprettysurethiswon’twork
Andyet,itdoes!Anofficialwhoreadthat“weshouldpromotefriendshipbetween nations”musthavebeenasidealisticasKat.
Beforeyouknowit,youareonatrain,withaticketboughtwithyourdad’s80% discount(heisadesignerataRailwayRollingStockRepairPlantDesignOffice). Behindthewindow,theworldiswhizzingpast.Germanyisorderlyandclean,but theNetherlandsisafairytaleyouhaven’texpected.Itenchantsyou.Youaresure theUnitedKINGDOMofGreatBritainandNorthernIrelandwillbeevenmore stunning.Butit’snot.Youaresurprisedbythegloom,andyourconnectingtrainis ashockingfortyminuteslateatthestationofitsdeparture:notquitethescenario youimagined.
WhenyouarriveinSunderlandwithyourheavysuitcasefullofcannedfoodthat yourMomequippedyouwith,Katisn’tthere.Anicemiddle-agedcouple,Helenand John,theSamaritanswhomeetyou,explainthatshemaybeabitimpracticaland herenthusiasmmaybeatadshort-lived.
Toyoursurpriseandutmostdelight,insteadofgoingstraightbacktoPoland,you spendthreefabulousmonthswithHelenandJohn.Yournewfriendstakeyouto Newcastle,Edinburgh,theCheviotHills,thebreathtakingGatesheadGarden Festival,andthe 42nd Street Musical.Youeatsconeswithsaltybutteranddrinktea withmilktogether.Butmostofall,yougettotaketheirdog,Gemma,a“border poodle,”forlongwalksbythestormysea.She’sthesweetestcompanionwho treatsyoulikeheronlysheep.
Thedreamvacationends,butthefriendshipremains.Itlaststillthe2000s,when, sadly,bothHelenandJohnpassaway.Luckily,beforethat,yourchildrengetto meetthetwoamazingpeoplewhoraisedtheIronCurtainforyou.
Artandstoryby Magdalena Brzezinska, Poland
