The Path to Serendipity: Discover the Gifts along Life's Journey

By Allyson Apsey

The best gift life gives us is the freedom to choose who you want to be and what kind of life you want to live. In The Path to Serendipity, educational leader Allyson Apsey offers a funny, genuine, and clever look at the fortunes we can gain from even our worst experiences. Through her personal, relatable stories, you will learn strategies for living a meaningful life regardless of the craziness happening around you.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dave Burgess Consulting, Inc.
• Release date: May 3, 2018
• ISBN: 9781946444721

Book preview

The Path to Serendipity

Praise for The Path to Serendipity

"As I get older, I’ve come to realize we often don’t experience enough rawness, vulnerability, and humanity on a daily basis with others. But Allyson does exactly that. She bares her mistakes, owns the truth behind who she is, and allows us to see the beauty in all that we do, even if we don’t see it in our own lives at that particular time. The Path to Serendipity is a soul-searching adventure. Get ready to bloom as you discover some secrets to a better you and more fulfilling life."

—LaVonna Roth, creator and founder of Ignite Your S.H.I.N.E.®, Tampa, Florida

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Whatever book, blog, or article you’re reading right now, put it down. You’re going to want to get your hands on this book and your eyes on every single page immediately. If you’re like me and you’ve been told or felt that you were not enough at some point, this book will change your perspective and your life. The heart of this book focuses on learning from and growing through life’s many lessons, understanding behavior, trusting your path, controlling and owning your actions, finding true happiness each day, and learning how to live life serendipitously. Allyson includes Serendipitous Lessons at the end of each chapter as a call to action to get started with right away, and trust me, these lessons will change your perspective as both a parent and educator. Teaching is a team sport, and to be done well, educators need a support system and a true focus on putting relationships first. This begins with truly understanding ourselves to understand others.

—Kayla Delzer, globally awarded teacher, author, CEO of Top Dog Teaching Inc.

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"Throughout the chapters of this book, Allyson draws the reader in with her compassion and zeal for life. She shares practical ways to navigate circumstances handed to us without warning, as well as those we willingly chose. No matter your role or profession, the ‘seven truths to a happier life’ are sure to leave you nodding in agreement and intentionally placing each within your heart and mind to guide you through The Path to Serendipity."

—Tara Martin, curriculum coordinator, Auburn Washburn Public Schools, Topeka, Kansas

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"Be prepared to go on a journey with Allyson Apsey in her new book that is unlike anything you have experienced. You will discover new paths that will enrich and deepen your life with Allyson as your guide on The Path to Serendipity. Allyson’s words always inspire, uplift, and challenge. I have always yearned for a book by this true #EduHero, and Allyson has delivered in multitude of ways that will move and compel you to positive action. Imagine taking a long, fulfilling, and joyful walk with a friend as you read this book. Allyson’s story will stay with you and inspire to look at the world with a smile."

—Sean Gaillard, principal, Lexington Middle School, author of The Pepper Effect

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"Allyson has given us the gift of real, because The Path to Serendipity speaks straight to the heart. She has used a mixture of humor, transparency, vulnerability, and reality to create a masterpiece of motivation. Anyone from any profession can pick up this book and be inspired by its message. Although her experiences are from her own life and career, everyone will relate to her passion and authenticity because it is from her heart to ours. I was inspired as I read along, and the inspiration has continued as Allyson’s words filter through my days. This is a must-read for anyone seeking encouragement and inspiration and a sense of empowerment."

—Bethany Hill, principal, Central Elementary, Cabot, Arkansas

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"The Path to Serendipity is an amazing display of vulnerability and reflection. You will feel a personal connection to Allyson throughout the journey. In the end, a feeling of joy and a willingness to be uniquely different will flow through you."

—Ben Gilpin, principal, author, speaker

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"Unabashedly uplifting! This book is so honest, and Allyson’s accounts are so moving. It has both humor and a refreshingly earthy touch. This book will challenge us at a crossroads, help us through tough times, and dare us to action. As I read this book, I became increasingly awed by the bounty of truth that it contained. There is a massive power in this that can embrace us all. It speaks not only to my intellect but also to my heart. I am a wiser person as a result of having taken The Path to Serendipity so eloquently recounted in the pages of this book."

—Adolph Brown, thought leader, author, humorist

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"I started reading The Path to Serendipity on a late-night flight home after a conference, and even though I was extremely tired, I read the entire book from start to finish, I just couldn’t put it down. Allyson takes her personal experiences and shows you why and how you can make a positive change for the students in your class and for yourself. From Choice, Relationships, Asking, having Fun and Turning a struggle around, she sets the stage and will motivate you page after page. You’re going to laugh, you’re going to cry (I did), and you’re going to come away stronger and ready to tackle any and all of those challenges and ideas you’ve wanted to get after and just haven’t done so yet. The Path to Serendipity is a must-read and I’m confident it will make a positive impact on anyone who is lucky enough to immerse themselves in this literary wonder!"

—Adam Welcome, educator, speaker, author, marathon runner, vegan

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"The Path to Serendipity by author Allyson Apsey, will capture both your heart and your spirit page after page. The book is filled with personal, heartwarming stories, life lessons, and practical examples that will not only inspire you to reflect on your work as an educator but will also challenge you to re-examine your life as a friend, colleague, a son/daughter, or a parent. Each chapter is filled with serendipitous lessons for you and those who matter to you to ponder and discuss. No matter your title or profession, this book should be next on your reading list. You won’t be disappointed."

—Jimmy Casas, educator, leadership coach, author, speaker

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"If you are looking to embrace the difficult and often beautiful lessons that our experiences lay in our path, this book is a must-read. And once you start reading The Path to Serendipity, you won’t put it down until it’s done. Allyson folds life-changing lessons into delightful and compelling stories that have readers reflecting on their own life experiences. This book will change your thinking and help you be the best version of yourself."

—Todd Whitaker, professor of educational leadership, University of Missouri

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"In her book, The Path to Serendipity, Allyson Apsey provides a road map for educators to find joy, compassion, and new perspectives at school and in their personal lives. Her transparency and openness allow the reader to peer into her heart and share her joys and her sorrows with lessons learned through her journey as an educator. If you’re seeking new ways to help students and searching for inspiration for the heart, this book is for you!"

—Jonathon Wennstrom, elementary principal, Livonia, Michigan

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"The Path to Serendipity touched my heart from the opening words. Allyson magically takes us on a journey through her life experiences, and I felt that I was there every step of the way. This book allows us to experience joy at many levels and gives us hope and encouragement. Allyson’s passion for education and others shines brightly in this beautiful book."

—Jodie Pierpoint, elementary special education teacher, Columbus, Ohio

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"Allyson has written an amazing book that is totally different from anything I have ever read. She has a brilliant way of weaving interesting, relatable, funny, and touching stories with deep lessons. The Path to Serendipity takes readers on a journey of self-reflection and introspection, and it is a joyful ride. Allyson gives us new perspectives and new strategies to crush boulders in our paths, to see the beauty that is around us every day, and to be our best selves for the people we love. This book is a must-read for not just all educators but for all people looking to live more effective and happier lives as well as for those who are looking to help the people around them live more effective and happier lives. From practical classroom strategies to ways to have a need-satisfying marriage, this book has it all. I laughed, I cried, and I enjoyed every minute."

—Amber Teamann, elementary principal, Wylie, Texas

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"The Path to Serendipity is a reminder that we are all human. Allyson Apsey brings beautiful lessons to life like a warm, cozy, comfortable porch swing. Her heartfelt and vulnerable accounts remind us that we can all be amazing and uniquely fulfilled. Each chapter helps us look back at our own experiences and take pause. Life is full of ups and downs but learning from those bumps and experiences allows us to grow. My sister has worked her magic, expressing deep thoughts of heart-warming experiences, which lend themselves to lessons learned and ways to grow."

—Nicole Vanderplow, elementary teacher

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"Allyson’s honest and vulnerable sharing of how she found lessons in some of her most challenging times