Cultivating serendipity
Whether it's walking on the other side of the street, saying yes to that networking event, or simply trying a new activity, cultivating more serendipity into my life has been a game-changer.
Hi everyone,
Hope you’re enjoying this glorious sunshine! I always feel infinitely better when the sun’s rays are shining down on me, or I’m beside a body of water like an ocean, lake or river. Hope it’s been the same for you all as we recharge in the Canadian summer.
Something I have been doing more intentionally lately that has been creating pockets of joy is cultivating serendipity. I spoke about it in my keynote this past week at the University of Toronto’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health Alumni Reception where I spoke to the power of a public health education.
The first usage of the word serendipity appears in an 18th century letter by Horace Walpole, the 4th Earl of Orford. He coined the term after reading a Persian folklore story about ‘The Three Princes of Serendip’ (what is now present-day Sri Lanka), who make miraculous discoveries by accident.
I myself recently started thinking about it more after reading about it in the book ‘Nerve: Lessons on Leadership from Two Women Who Went First’ by Martha Piper and Indira Samarasekera.
From penicillin, to the microwave, to popsicles, serendipity has been behind some interesting scientific discoveries, engineering marvels, and tasty treats over the years.
Cultivating serendipity to me is all about bringing more ‘managed randomness’ into your life to enable more ‘smart luck’ and ‘unplanned fortunate discovery’. A chance encounter or non-planned activity can be what results in an aha moment, a life-changing meeting or even a meet-cute! 😊
And who knows, perhaps serendipity can be behind your next policy innovation.
In your own life, it can be part of your everyday experience. From taking a different route to work, to walking on the other side of the street, to changing how you come back from the kitchen at work or home. In fact, after making myself a cup of coffee, I walked down another hallway at work and ran into a colleague who I had been trying to meet for a few weeks.
Changing where I work also changes who I see and what I do, so I try and go in different days when I’m working in the office. And when working remotely, I try and switch it up by working at local coffee shop somedays.
When you do the unfamiliar, your brain opens up more to observe. No longer on auto-pilot, you might see or discover things you were not expecting.
I find cultivating serendipity can invite beautiful moments of joy and wonder into your life. I felt that a few weeks ago in Whitehorse when I was there for the Equal Futures Summit, organized by the Canadian Partnership for Women’s and Children’s Health. Even though we had just missed the period of the Northern Lights, a few of us were determined to see the beauty of Whitehorse and the Yukon for however brief a moment
This was not on the planned agenda but on my friend Sydney Piggott’s wise counsel, a group of six of us took a near-midnight stroll alongside the Yukon River. We saw beautiful sights, bonded over shared interests in social justice, and came out of it with an renewed appreciation of the wonder that is this incredible land. I bet the full benefits of this impromptu walk won’t be felt for several years down the line though in the interim, I’m glad I’m honouring more of these moments because of the beauty it brings into my life.
So on that note, I encourage you to cultivate more serendipity in your life by saying yes to that next event or gathering or hangout someone invites you to!
Ever since the March Policy and Public Affairs Connect gathering in Calgary, I’ve been thinking about organizing one in Toronto in June. And I couldn’t host something in June without it somehow connecting to the upcoming Toronto mayoral by-election on June 26th.
That’s why, in partnership with the Regent Park Community Health Centre, CivicAction’s Emerging Leaders Network, Toronto Global Impact Network, and The Neighbourhood Organization, I’m co-organizing an event on June 22nd about The Toronto We Want.
The gathering will have a networking session and a panel discussion moderated by journalist Olivia Bowden, featuring change-makers and advocates working on key issues like affordability, health equity, inclusion, global citizenship, and youth leadership. Panelists to be announced shortly!
Join us - we are already 50% sold out so get your tickets soon!
The next mayor of Toronto will chart a new path for our city and I for one need mayoral hopefuls to earn my ballot by outlining a bold vision to meet this moment. I spoke about some of my hopes with CBC Toronto, following the Daily Bread Food Bank’s Mayoral Debate on May 15th. When you go to the ballot box on June 26th, make sure you make your decision as an informed and engaged Torontonian.
Big shout-out to Victoria Kuketz, the absolute epitome of a sponsor and peer mentor, who connected me to this media opportunity! She is a superstar to watch for sure!
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Finally, on a personal note, a special moment the last few days was celebrating with my Dad and brother at the Women in Leadership Foundation’s inaugural gathering in Toronto. I feel very touched to have received the Emerging Young Leader Award - thank you for the generous and kind nomination Farhana Mahbub, and the incredible efforts of your team Gurveer Bains, for making this event possible.
Growing up, watching my father’s relentless drive to be a man of purpose has inspired my own leadership journey. Volunteerism and service were non-negotiable in my household. It was always about: how will you leave a place better than you found it. 25 years ago, our family made our journey to Canada so very fitting to receive this award in this year, and have my Dad be part of the night. I’m inspired to contribute further to the communities I am part of and this giving me the helpful boost to do more and better.
That’s it for now! I’ll likely be in your inboxes again later this month so chat with you all very soon and hope to see many of you on June 22nd.
In the meanwhile, let me know how are you cultivating serendipity in your life?
With hope and heart,
Anjum
PS: Another call to sign up for the event on June 22nd. Trust me; tickets are going fast! I may do another event in mid to late August, depending on how this one goes. Register: https://bit.ly/The-Toronto-We-Want-Panel-June-22-2023
PPS: If you haven’t yet, hit the subscribe button below.
The Toronto We Want - Policy & Public Affairs Connect
Join Olivia Bowden, Journalist and Moderator of our Panel Discussion about The Toronto We Want. Taking place at Centre for Social Innovation (CSI) Spadina at 192 Spadina.
Sign up here - tickets are already 50% sold out: https://bit.ly/The-Toronto-We-Want-Panel-June-22-2023
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Toronto Policy & Public Affairs Connect - The Toronto We Want | In Partnership with Regent Park Community Health Centre, CivicAction, Toronto Global Impact Network & The Neighbourhood Organization | June 22, 2023 (I’m organizing and Co-MCing)
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Congratulations on the Emerging Young Leader Award! Well-deserved, and what a wonderful moment to be able to celebrate with your family. I have no doubt you have already made your mark in Canada, leaving it better than when you found it. :)