There is a wonderful quote attributed to Seneca, the Roman philosopher from the 1st century AD, “luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” Some friends, my husband, and I all met the opportunity-side of this equation in the form of an unexpected Icelandic ash plume.

Vacationing in Manhattan, our British friends Hilary and Paul along with their sons Tom and Oliver planned to leave New York on April 15th. A volcano erupted, plans changed -- and it was wonderful to have the additional time with close friends (we don’t see nearly enough) as they stayed at our home in New Jersey until they were able to fly on April 21st.

Beyond the many laughs, fabulous meals that Paul cooked, Scrabble games (with British and American spelling accepted), and playing Jimmy Buffett’s song “Volcano” – I could not help but reflect on the ways one volcano helped make some connections that changed all of our careers – and lives – in powerful ways. Expertise was leveraged. Ideas were created and nurtured. Connections were made that will have a lasting influence: My husband George connected with Hilary on a new program he is developing. Hilary connected with our friends Doug and Lisa on a book they are writing and they invited her to contribute to the book. Paul and I connected on marketing ideas for Get a Life, Not a Job. Hilary and I planned a possible seminar.

We each, at different moments, thanked that volcano for creating outstanding opportunities.

Perhaps the most beautiful example of the week’s ash plume serendipity was evidenced last Tuesday night when I was giving a “Get a Life, Not a Job” talk to a local professional association’s networking group. Stuck in New Jersey, Hilary graciously agreed to attend and help with session’s logistics. When we arrived, we had the immediate pleasure of meeting Angela Jones, a gifted professional who was recently unemployed. Angela wanted to meet me to discuss her career options in the area of international work psychology, my area of expertise…and, fortunately for Angela, also Hilary’s. In the time it took to set up a PowerPoint presentation and book table, Angela had some solid guidance on possibilities to combine her love for both psychology and international management, helping to crystallize her thinking about her future career path.

Before Angela could drive the 70 miles back to Philadelphia, Hilary and I had brainstormed how we could help her further; within 48 hours of our meeting, Angela had a flurry of contacts and information, moving her closer to her career goal.

Some would say Angela was “lucky.” I believe Angela’s preparation met a volcano-size opportunity. In fact, to illustrate Seneca’s wisdom, you need to know that Angela did her homework – quite literally. After the session, Angela forwarded Hilary and me a term paper she had written for an undergraduate psychology class in 2007 in which both Hilary and I were cited.

Luck? Serendipity? Destiny? Coincidence? -- or, did preparation meet opportunity? You be the judge.

Opportunities, even those that change your plans in unexpected ways, may be exactly the ones that will help move your career – and your life – in a wonderful direction.

Paula