SERENDIPITY is finding something valuable or agreeable that one was not seeking. In simple words, it is an unplanned welcome discovery.
One such discovery is that of a drug that revolutionised the medical industry and has saved many lives. This drug is penicillin.
In 1928, Scottish bacteriologist Alexander Fleming accidentally discovered penicillin. The introduction of penicillin in the 1940s began the era of antibiotics and has been acknowledged as one of the most influential advances in therapeutic medicine.
Before its introduction, there was no effective treatment for infections such as pneumonia, abscesses or rheumatic fever. Hospitals were full of people with blood poisoning contracted from a cut or a scratch and doctors could do little for them but pray for the best.
Antibiotics are a type of antimicrobial substance produced by bacteria and fungi. They are capable of killing or inhibiting competing microbial species.
Fleming began to sort through Petri dishes containing colonies of the harmful bacteria, Staphylococcus, that causes boils, sore throats and abscesses. He noticed something unusual on one dish. It was dotted with colonies, except for an area where a mould was growing. The area around the mould was clear as if the mould had secreted something that inhibited bacterial growth.
Although the dedicated scientist had been set on studying these other disease-causing pathogens, he stumbled upon the discovery of penicillin.
Other examples exhibiting this phenomenon include the invention of the microwave oven. Raytheon scientist Percy Spencer first patented the microwave after noticing that emissions from radar equipment had melted the candy in his pocket. The polymer Teflon came to be after Roy J Plunkett observed a white mass inside a pressure bottle during an effort to make a new CFC refrigerant.
- India facing a pandemic of antibiotics-resistant superbugs
- Over-use of antibiotics can result in drug resistant bacteria
- Serendipity, the art of unplanned discovery
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A common theme in all these events is that these men were not idle. Their success and discoveries came to be while they were chasing purpose. In the words of the famous French chemist, microbiologist and pharmacist, "In the field of observation, chance favours only the prepared mind."
As we chase success, we should prepare our minds to embrace a fortunate stroke of serendipity. Below is a list of habits that can aid in the preparation of the mind.
Self-awareness
We all have a seed in us that is special and unique. It is up to us to discover this seed and be aware of how we can nurture it. You are competing with yourself; therefore, you should carry only the load assigned to you.
Set clear goals
What is your agenda? Why are you alive? What are you doing? These are all urgent questions that need to be addressed as soon as possible. When written down and answered, they can bring clarity.
Overcome your background
As you are growing, what else is growing in you? We all have some sort of trial and circumstance that seems daunting and overwhelming. It is our responsibility to ensure that this does not limit our potential. Refuse to play victim to circumstance and embrace the challenge change brings.
Exercise gratitude
According to Harvard Business Review: “Gratitude helps people to refocus on what they have instead of what they lack. And, although it may feel contrived at first, this mental state grows stronger with use and practice.”
Serendipity, the art of unplanned discovery, has historically played a pivotal role in shaping our world, particularly in the field of medicine with the ground-breaking discovery of penicillin. Alexander Fleming's chance encounter with a mould-streaked Petri dish ushered in the age of antibiotics and illustrates how valuable breakthroughs can occur when we least expect.
Such discoveries remind us that preparation, mindset and intentionality are essential in recognising and embracing these fortunate moments.
By fostering self-awareness, setting clear goals, overcoming life’s obstacles and practising gratitude, we can cultivate a psychologically prepared state of mind that allows us to seize unexpected opportunities. In a world full of possibilities, embracing serendipity can lead to life-altering revelations and innovations.
- Rutendo Kureya is a medical student at Saint Petersburg State Paediatric Medical University, Russia. She is passionate about issues concerning the state and welfare of fellow Zimbabweans. She can be reached at kureyaru@gmail.com. Mobile: +7 996 274 98 66 Facebook: Rutendo Kureya. She writes here in her personal capacity.
