Do You Believe in Fate?

For the past eighteen months, I’ve been looking for work, with very little success. A few months back was the closest I’ve ever been when I had an interview – the first I’ve had in years – as an assistant librarian. Unfortunately, that was not to be, and rather than continuing to dwell on it, I thought I’d drown my sorrows by visiting my local second-hand bookshop. It was a random decision that I have not come to regret.

For a little bit of backstory, lately, I’ve been having regular visits to a counsellor for my mental health. She has been very helpful, and at our last session, we agreed I needed to take baby steps towards changes in my life, which includes looking for work.

So, on this particular day, I visited the second-hand book shop and bought a couple of books to help cheer me up. The owner happened to tell me she was snowed under. Seeing an opportunity, I offered to volunteer, and the woman (after recovering from the shock a little) said she couldn’t believe her luck and was only too happy for me to help her out.

Either the stars aligned that day, or I was continuing to follow my instincts.

Since then, I have been helping out in the shop whenever I can, aiming to get there at least once a week. I found it remarkable that after the first time I helped, she asked me if I could look after the shop on my own, as she was busy moving stock. Not having any retail experience, I declined, but my husband told me she must trust me already!

Volunteering has worked out to be a win-win situation for the both of us – she gets the help she needs, and I manage to build up my resume and get a recent reference. Not only that, but I also manage to meet people, be around books, and gain knowledge of other authors and what’s available in particular genres.

I would never have volunteered if I continued to dwell on my short comings that day. Instead, I saw an opportunity and took it.

I’m making changes in my life, one small step at a time.

Do you believe in fate, or do you put things down to sheer luck? Have you ever done any volunteer work?