The Art of Serendipity


Book Description

Serendipity and creativity are both broad, widely disputed, and yet consistently popular concepts which are relevant to understanding the positive aspects of our daily lives and even human progress in the arts and sciences. The chapters in this book reflects a variety of theoretical and practical approaches to serendipity in various domains, including creative problem solving, sculpture, writing, theatre and design. Chapter authors address issues such as the nature of the ‘prepared mind’, the role of accidents, serendipity as a skill or way of engaging with the world and, indeed, how serendipity works as a concept and practice in relation to the dynamic flow of the creative system. Those who wish to explore the nature of chance in art and creativity, as well as in their daily lives, will find much to ponder in these pages.




The Serendipity Mindset


Book Description

Good luck isn’t just chance—it can be learned and leveraged—and The Serendipity Mindset explains how you can use serendipity to make life better at work, at home—everywhere. Many of us believe that the great turning points and opportunities in our lives happen by chance, that they’re out of our control. Often we think that successful people—and successful companies and organizations—are simply luckier than the rest of us. Good fortune—serendipity—just seems to happen to them. Is that true? Or are some people better at creating the conditions for coincidences to arise and taking advantage of them when they do? How can we connect the dots of seemingly random events to improve our lives? In The Serendipity Mindset, Christian Busch explains that serendipity isn’t about luck in the sense of simple randomness. It’s about seeing links that others don’t, combining these observations in unexpected and strategic ways, and learning how to detect the moments when apparently random or unconnected ideas merge to form new opportunities. Busch explores serendipity from a rational and scientific perspective and argues that there are identifiable approaches we can use to foster the conditions to let serendipity grow. Drawing from biology, chemistry, management, and information systems, and using examples of people from all walks of life, Busch illustrates how serendipity works and explains how we can train our own serendipity muscle and use it to turn the unexpected into opportunity. Once we understand serendipity, Busch says, we become curators of it, and luck becomes something that no longer just happens to us—it becomes a force that we can grasp, shape, and hone. Full of exciting ideas and strategies, The Serendipity Mindset offers a clear blueprint for how we can cultivate serendipity to increase innovation, influence, and opportunity in every aspect of our lives.




Spiritual Serendipity


Book Description

Provides a guide to developing serendipity of the spirit in an effort to balance structure and spontaneity, harness time rather than manage it, and provide a bridge to God




Inventology


Book Description

Find out where great ideas come from in this “delightful account of how inventors do what they do” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review). A father cleans up after his toddler and imagines a cup that won’t spill. An engineer watches people using walkie-talkies and has an idea. A doctor figures out how to deliver patients to the operating room before they die. By studying inventions like these—the sippy cup, the cell phone, and an ingenious hospital bed —we can learn how people imagine their way around “impossible” problems to discover groundbreaking answers. Pagan Kennedy reports on how these enduring methods can be adapted to the twenty-first century, as millions of us deploy tools like crowdfunding, big data, and 3-D printing to find hidden opportunities. Inventology uses the stories of inventors and surprising research to reveal the steps that produce innovation. Recent advances in technology and communication have placed us at the cusp of a golden age; it’s now more possible than ever before to transform ideas into actuality. Inventology is a must-read for designers, artists, makers—and anyone else who is curious about creativity. By identifying the steps of the invention process, Kennedy reveals the imaginative tools required to solve our most challenging problems. “There’s ample interest here even for readers who aren’t actively inventing anything.” —The Boston Globe




Cybernetic Serendipity


Book Description




The Art of Serendipity


Book Description

In the quiet solitude of a picturesque countryside, where rolling hills meet the azure sky, lies a tale of rediscovery, love, and the transformative power of art. In our story, we meet Nicole, a once-successful artist, whose heart now bears the weight of disillusionment and aching memories. Seeking solace and inspiration, she flees the bustling city life to this serene haven, hoping that the whispering winds and dancing fields will heal her broken spirit. Little did Nicole know that fate had something extraordinary in store for her. Amidst the tranquil landscape, she stumbles upon an enigmatic art restorer named Dariel, living a secluded life shrouded in mystery. Drawn together by a shared passion for art, they form an unlikely alliance, embarking on a journey that will not only revive a forgotten masterpiece but also transform their lives in ways they could never have imagined. As they collaborate on restoring the ancient painting, Nicole and Dariel unravel layers of emotions, not only within the artwork but also within themselves. Through their artistic endeavors, they find a conduit to express their deepest fears, regrets, and desires. In the midst of their vulnerable exchange, an unexpected bond blossoms between them, born from the power of understanding and shared healing. Amidst the breathtaking beauty of the countryside, the curious gaze of the locals, and the serendipitous encounters that mark their path, Nicole and Dariel navigate the complexities of love, forgiveness, and letting go of the past. With every stroke of the brush and each carefully chosen color, they learn that the act of creation can be a form of catharsis, a way to mend the cracks in their souls and reignite the spark of inspiration. As the forgotten masterpiece is unveiled, it reveals not only its hidden secrets but also the innermost struggles of our protagonists. The painting becomes a metaphor for their journey, a reflection of their own transformation and the profound impact of their collaboration on each other's lives. In 'The Art of Serendipity,' we invite you to join Nicole and Dariel on their artistic odyssey, where the lines between restoration and redemption blur, and the canvas of their lives becomes a testament to the power of love and art. In this tale of two souls finding solace, we will witness how the beauty of the countryside and the transformative magic of creativity combine to create a masterpiece of serendipity.




Serendipity


Book Description

Serendipity is a collage of the many hurdles I have conquered in my life. By leading a more conscious way of life, I am able to grasp the bigger picture which helps me to see and feel more of life's blessings by giving me the courage to be myself and go after my dreams. Everything I learn I want to pass on to others who may need it. Through awareness and determination, you can lift all the veils and live your most authentic life where you can be yourself, overcome anything that stands in your way and have more fulfilling relationships. A life full of serendipity awaits you. Experiences that shake the soul and make the unknown okay. Let the fun begin.




Serendipity Quilts


Book Description

'Serendipity Quilts' features four beautiful, colour-rich projects that go from beginner to advanced, giving quilters everywhere the confidence to let their imaginations run wild & create the quilts they've always dreamed of.




The Serendipity Mindset


Book Description

Good luck isn’t just chance—it can be learned and leveraged—and The Serendipity Mindset explains how you can use serendipity to make life better at work, at home—everywhere. Many of us believe that the great turning points and opportunities in our lives happen by chance, that they’re out of our control. Often we think that successful people—and successful companies and organizations—are simply luckier than the rest of us. Good fortune—serendipity—just seems to happen to them. Is that true? Or are some people better at creating the conditions for coincidences to arise and taking advantage of them when they do? How can we connect the dots of seemingly random events to improve our lives? In The Serendipity Mindset, Christian Busch explains that serendipity isn’t about luck in the sense of simple randomness. It’s about seeing links that others don’t, combining these observations in unexpected and strategic ways, and learning how to detect the moments when apparently random or unconnected ideas merge to form new opportunities. Busch explores serendipity from a rational and scientific perspective and argues that there are identifiable approaches we can use to foster the conditions to let serendipity grow. Drawing from biology, chemistry, management, and information systems, and using examples of people from all walks of life, Busch illustrates how serendipity works and explains how we can train our own serendipity muscle and use it to turn the unexpected into opportunity. Once we understand serendipity, Busch says, we become curators of it, and luck becomes something that no longer just happens to us—it becomes a force that we can grasp, shape, and hone. Full of exciting ideas and strategies, The Serendipity Mindset offers a clear blueprint for how we can cultivate serendipity to increase innovation, influence, and opportunity in every aspect of our lives.




Serendipity


Book Description

Louise Shaffer brings to life three generations of Italian American women in this stunning novel of surprises, secrets, and serendipity. A child of theatrical royalty, Carrie Manning is having a hard time getting her own act together. Thirty-seven, aimless, and having just buried a famous mother she never understood, she is desperate to uncover her family’s mysterious past in the hopes that it will help her understand herself. Carrie’s search reveals the fascinating life stories of her estranged grandmother Lu, a glamorous Broadway star whose dreams came with a price; her great grandmother Mifalda, who gave up everything to come to America as a sixteen-year-old Italian bride; and her father, Bobby, the charismatic Broadway genius who wrote some of Lu’s greatest musicals and died tragically young. At the heart of Carrie’s discoveries lies the reason for her mother’s complicated life, and a dark secret that has been buried for thirty years.