By Jane Santos Guinto


Serendipity is my second favorite word.

It’s a big word for such a simple idea—happy accidents. I came to embrace it after watching the 2001 movie in which John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale’s characters find and re-find each other through beautifully spontaneous and frustratingly romantic accidents.

Each ‘real-life’ day can either be a series of harassing hassles or a bunch of serene serendipities.  Driving in Metro Manila’s horrendous traffic, for instance, can either be perpetual hardship or just prolonged lessons on semi-devilishly defensive uniquely Pinoy driving.  For those who are religious (a.k.a. spiritual), you can use the agonizing commute as extra prayer time.

To help me see events as happy accidents instead of coincidental curses, I borrow the words of a wise believer:

Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

Reinhold Niebuhr

May life be a series of satisfying, soulful serendipities for us all!