It's Simply Serendipity: Four Steps to Manifesting a Life of Bliss

By Cali Gilbert

A young woman with a colorful past, former athlete and magazine publisher, experiences the worst year of her life. She loses everything in the span of 12 months including her home. Faced with two options, give up or start over, she chooses the latter. An aspiring photographer and writer, she manages to self publish two books combining her passions on zero budget. Being guided down a path on a particularly serendipitous journey, she begins to understand how every person, every event, every action, is divinely aligned to lead her to discovering her true authentic self and life purpose. Throughout the journey she takes what she has learned and creates a four step formula to manifesting anything you desire. She shares her story and the formula in this inspiring read.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cali Gilbert
• Release date: Feb 17, 2014
• ISBN: 9780463090930

Cali Gilbert

Cali Gilbert is an International bestselling author, award winning filmmaker and photographer. She has travelled the globe as a former figure skater and magazine publisher, and has contributed to the Huffington Post. With an extensive background in event management, Cali assisted the Canadian Olympic Committee at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, and most recently served as an Event Ambassador for the 34th America’s Cup sailing regatta in San Francisco.Cali is an accomplished photographer, whose work has been showcased in galleries across the United States. As the creator of the IT’S SIMPLY book series, Cali has published several bestselling books of her own and now serves other writers through her imprint, Serendipity Publishing House.As Founder & CEO of Tower 15 Productions, Cali supports other creatives through education and collaboration in the areas of publishing, photography and filmmaking. Cali splits her time between Los Angeles and San Diego, California where she enjoys serving her community, especially women in transition and youth programs. To learn more, visit www.CaliGilbert.com

Book preview

IT’S SIMPLY SERENDIPITY

Four Steps to Manifesting a Life of Bliss

Copyright © 2013 by Cali Gilbert

No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval devices or systems, without prior written permission from the author.

Some of the names of those mentioned throughout my story have been changed to protect the individuals.

EBOOK VERSION

Paperback Information:

ISBN-13 978-1475195538

ISBN-10 1475195532

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013914893

First printing September, 2013

Serendipity Publishing House

Santa Monica, California

WWW.CALIGILBERT.COM

PRAISE FOR

IT’S SIMPLY SERENDIPITY

"Ever since Cali was a teenager, one of her strongest attributes was perseverance. I’m not at all surprised at how much she has accomplished despite the many obstacles and challenges she has faced. She’s not one to give up."

CAL RIPKEN, JR., Hall of Fame, Major League Baseball. Chairman & Founder, Ripken Baseball, Inc.

"Cali Gilbert’s book, It’s Simply Serendipity is an inspired, fun, profound read. Through her journey, readers have a clear path which enables them to live The Passion Test’s’ secret to living a passionate life…Whenever faced with a choice, a decision, or an opportunity, choose in favor of your passion!"

JANET BRAY ATTWOOD, New York Times Bestselling Author of The Passion Test

In It's Simply Serendipity, Cali Gilbert shares her remarkable story of transformation. She not only details how she created the life of her dreams using four simple steps, but she also lays out clearly how you can apply those same steps in your life.

MARCI SHIMOFF, Professional Speaker, #1 NY Times Bestselling Author, Happy for No Reason, Love for No Reason, Chicken Soup for the Woman's Soul.

"I know the road that Cali has been traveling. It hasn’t been a smooth ride. She is an inspiration for anyone who has a dream and refuses to let the inevitable challenges of life stop them."

MARK SUSNOW, JD, Executive Life Coach; Motivational Speaker and author of Dancing on the River: Navigating Life’s Changes.

"Cali Gilbert shares her inspiring story of transformation and the steps she took to create the life of her dreams so you can do the same."

MARCIA WIEDER, CEO/Founder, Dream University

"Cali is the perfect example of someone who has created her ideal life by combining her passions of writing and photography with commerce. She not only published four books on her own in 12 months, but established herself as an award winning photographer and transformational author in our community of change-makers. All of her work has a connection to a charitable organization and she serves her community by serving others. She is truly an inspiration to others and I can't wait to see what she accomplishes next."

RICH GERMAN, Author of Monetize Your Passion

What Cali shares in her moving book touches all of our journeys. She rises from fear and excruciating loss to the life-changing recognition that a profound peace and joy is forever hers within. The reader cannot help but be inspired to their own inner celebration.

DAVID ELLZEY, Author, The Ocean of Now

DEDICATION

For you D. Thank you for always being the guiding light in my heart, the calming voice in my head, and the love that fills my soul. I feel so very blessed to have connected with such a beautiful kindred spirit.

FOREWORD

The perfect people, like the perfect books and perfect opportunities, always appear at the perfect time in life. While it may not always feel perfect in the moment, it’s Simply Serendipity.

Cali Gilbert’s arrival into my life was no different. Our meeting was the manifestation of an intentional and divine appointment between two kindred spirits embracing the joyful, yet uncomfortable, discoveries of their artistic gifts, after spending a lifetime compromising our truest identities for the practicality of simply earning a living. I had no idea she would show up in my life. But as I reflect back on the provident crossing of our paths, I can say it was the result of the four steps outlined in this book.

It’s Simply Serendipity: Four Steps to Manifesting a Life of Bliss is simply brilliant. There’s no hocus pocus magic or any farfetched Jedi mind tricks involved. Its genius is rooted in the consciousness of surrendering to your highest and greatest intentions, with the courage to deal with your truth, persevere when fear comes to chase you away from your destiny, and move in the direction you feel compelled to walk in order to express your authentic self.

Have you ever found yourself faced with a difficult decision and no matter the choice made, your life was going to change dramatically? Where one possible choice conflicted with your need for safety and security while the other choice conflicted with your desire for self-actualization? Safety and security almost always seem to be the logical and rational choice because of the immediacy of their needs. However, the immediacy and ease of choice for safety and security over self-actualization discounts your greatest hopes and dreams and takes time for granted and treats it as an infinite commodity. We are all living on borrowed time. Every time you make the easier, safer, secure choice, you lose an opportunity to take inspired action that could catapult you into blissful living. And, the opportunity missed may never present itself again because time is an unknown variable.

In 2008, I was faced with one of those difficult decisions. I was a corporate executive for a Fortune 500 company making more money than I dreamed I could ever make. As the global economy was rapidly imploding, my company’s stock price and revenue plummeted and my job and financial security were in question. Given the option between staying and trying to weather the economic tsunami or take the golden parachute, I chose the latter.

For the next year and a half I was in an emotional and spiritual struggle between safety and security and my highest purpose in life. In that period, I started and quit two jobs because I compromised my greatest intentions and could feel myself being slowly tortured and dying a death by a thousand paper cuts. I firmly believe whatever you compromise to gain, you will ultimately lose. After quitting the second job, I surrendered to who I truly am. I’m an artist who for many years chose survival over living. There’s a difference. I’ve gone from corporate executive to forthcoming author. I’ve gone from surviving to living. My opportunity presented itself and it came in the form of bad news. In hindsight, it was exactly what I needed.

Many times the greatest opportunities we have to get on the correct path in life come disguised as personal challenges such as a job loss, ending a relationship, the death of a loved one, or even such devastating tragedies as the terrorists attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11, 2001. In those fleeting moments our vulnerability and human frailty flashes before our eyes. Everything that seemingly feels safe and secure leading up to the personal devastation is exposed as we realize life is not something we can control or contain. Life is a gift that is to be lived. For no person, truthfully, has control over the outcomes, only the willingness to embrace them and view them as beautiful and necessary to reach our greatest purpose. We can fight against the laws of nature or surrender to its absolute magnificence.

It’s Simply Serendipity: Four Steps to Manifesting a Life of Bliss takes you on a journey of one woman’s maturation and coming of age. Author Cali Gilbert shares her personal struggles and ultimate transformation to heal and guide you on the path to surrender to the life you have been purposed for and have been longing to live from the very beginning. In this life-changing book you’ll discover how most events in life are no coincidence and happen to move you in the direction of your highest calling and how to embrace them as such. Finally, you’ll discover how to be active in co-creating the physical manifestation of your dreams as opposed to simply responding to the push and pull of our external environment.

Time is of the essence. Each of us has a small window of opportunity in this thing called life, to make our mark and create a beautiful and lasting legacy for our families, and our world. Whether you recognize it or not, you are creating a legacy. Is it a legacy that will bless generations to come? Or, is it a legacy that will perpetuate simply enduring to survive? Will you surrender to your soul’s calling? Or, will you ignore it and settle back into the false sense of security of following the crowd?

This book found its way into your life at the perfect moment. It’s Simply Serendipity.

Frank Thomas

Author of the forthcoming book,

"RISE: Even Death Can’t Stop Me"

Los Angeles, CA

WITH GRATITUDE

First and foremost, I would like to thank my Mum and Dad. Ours hasn’t been the easiest of relationships, but as time goes by I understand more and more how very much you both love me. You shaped me into the person I am today, and I hope as time passes we can continue the journey towards healing.

To my brother Eric, who in the past year has become one of my dearest friends. It only took a few decades to happen, but I’m grateful to have had you in my life throughout this journey and I’m proud to watch you grow as an artist.

To the three very special women who opened up their homes to me when I had nowhere else to go, you will always hold a very special place in my heart.

To all the wonderful teachers from the publishing industry who took me under their wing and showed me the way to publish book after book. I thank you. I feel so blessed to have connected with each and every one of you so that now I can live on purpose doing what I truly love.

To the citizens and community of Sausalito, California, my beautiful home. Thank you for looking after me and encouraging me to follow my heart and my dreams. I knew the moment I first came to this beautiful town that I was finally home.

Finally, to my beautiful Grant. You taught me more about myself in this past year than anyone, and you allowed me to open up my heart again and love unconditionally. I will always love you and wish you nothing but the best. You have a beautiful heart and soul, my friend. Thank you for being the guide I needed during this particular journey in my life. I will always cherish the moments we spent together.

INTRODUCTION

"This world is only one sweet moment set aside for us."

Brian May of Queen

Have you ever looked back and thought of a moment in your life that at the time appeared to be catastrophic, and then smiled when you realized its purpose yet cringed at the same time because of the significance you placed on it? That has happened to me on more than one occasion, but now I see things from a completely different perspective. I have found that life tends to be a series of fortunate accidents that lead us to precisely where we are supposed to be; a place destined to fulfill our soul’s purpose.

I’ve graced this planet for four decades, and can now look back and see how every single person that has come into my life did so at that precise moment I needed them to in order to teach me a lesson which only they could deliver. I realize now that every place I visited or lived, every experience I encountered, took place exactly