When Serendipity Works Wonders
Some years back, while living in Germany, I did something unimaginable for me back then. What unfolded turned out to be an amazing story of how the universe responds when we embrace the unknown…
“When I started translating Dr. Mandeep's Rai book, I had nothing to do professionally with translations or publishing houses. Sometimes though the universe conspires in ways that marvel us, leading us towards what we want either to do or to become... I was still working in a large telecommunications group abroad at the time. Almost ten years living away from my native country, Greece. Something was “itching” me and I signed up to a coaching training. There, in a coffee break, a fellow participant, who previously studied together with Mandeep, brought up the book, as the subject it tackles – values – is closely related to the wonderful world of coaching, which for me was a new and unexpectedly positive experience.
It was January 2020. The book had just been released in English. Quite likely I was amongst the first readers worldwide. I was captured right from the beginning. Not only because of professional curiosity, as I socialized and worked with colleagues from different countries, but also because I love stories. Communication had always been my calling, and I was exploring the art of storytelling as a professional, but that’s another story... Moreover, I had already begun my own journey into self-awareness and introspection, which led me to brave decisions and a change of course. At the same time, I had and have an unquenchable love for travel, although I have only visited a third of the countries Mandeep describes here. An idea was born in me to host her for an interview, on behalf of the group I was working for at the time. So, I reached out to her, simply sending a message on a social networking platform. What do I have to lose, I thought...
Three months later, in the midst of the pandemic and lockdown, while I had forgotten and written it off, I received a message from Mandeep! With pleasure she wrote! Well, the interview I had in mind did not take place. Yet we did my first podcast in English together. Our subject: the power of speech. Perhaps it is still available on the website of the corporation to which I said goodbye or on various podcast hosting platforms...
This random acquaintance, through a social networking platform, and later collaboration, with the author of the book you have in your hands, had an even more incredible sequel: at some point while talking with Mandeep, at a time of frustration, reassessment and own transformation, the idea of translating the book came up. I told her that I would love to, but I had no idea about publishing houses in Greece, and I did not have the capacity to chase something like this back then. Early 2021, I learn that Dioptra Publications secured the publishing rights… You can imagine the rest. I do not know if chance favors the bold. What I know is that by dancing with chance I translated the book you are holding in your hands. I was guided by my personal values and the search for my own "Ithaca". I hope you enjoy it as much as I did in my transition phase from a corporate communication professional to a transformational coach and -why not- you get inspired to chart your own personal path. As Carl Jung said: “Whoever looks out dreams. Whoever looks inside awakes.” I believe this book offers both.”
This was the preface for Mandeep’s Greek edition; a few lines I wrote from the heart. The book was published in 2022. Yet our story continues in remarkable ways…
Months later, a few Greek booklovers searched for me online. They reached out to tell me how inspired they were by this one page! We connected on a social media platform, and we are still in touch!
Mandeep and I met finally in person about two years ago. In 2024 she came to Athens, Greece and we did an event together. Now she is coming back, and I am so excited!
If you live in Athens and feel inspired, there is still time to join us on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at 18:30 here.
If not, take a moment to ponder:
What are your personal values? What is possible when you honor them? What is holding you back?
Personally, I learned to:
Honor my values of authenticity and connection, without rushing or pushing things to happen.
Trust my heart and my gut feeling more, rather than relying always on my rational thinking.
Most important: life is truly a remarkable book, and WE are the authors!
If this speaks to you connect with me here and reclaim your agency to create and lead a life you love.
