While I think I cracked the code on “the meaning of life” in last week’s newsletter, I want to take things a step further this week with what I believe to be a hidden secret to overwhelming happiness in life. Interested? Me too! Let’s dive in.
Most people don’t like being surprised. I get that.
No one wants an unexpected heart-attack inducing shock by a person hiding behind that bedroom door. Just ask my sister.
I want to offer a more beautiful look at surprise.
Check this out: When people ask me what was the best part of my trip to Paris and London last December, I don’t say “seeing Big Ben.” Though, seeing Big Ben in person is pretty dang cool. It wasn’t walking around the Tower of London, and learning about its chilling history. It wasn’t walking across the London Bridge. All good things, yes, and I took a lot of pictures for sure.
But the best part of my trip were the surprises.
Meeting Lara in the coffee shop around the corner from the hostel, and ending up having hours-long conversations. It was meeting Frankie working in the gift shop of the Tower Bridge, and finding out she’s a big fan of the Minnesota State Fair (we’ll meet again here in MN soon!). And there were more awesome surprise meetups and convos. It was also the surprise acts of kindness shown by hospitality workers, or the surprise of getting bumped to a better seat on the airplane ride.
I wonder if this is true for all of life?
If so, how can we live more with expectant eyes…looking for the surprises?
What hinders us from seeing beautiful surprises?
Basically, expectations.
We want to know what’s going to happen, in effect, removing the element of surprise, which create those magical moments that make life great.
I have another example for you: Fans will pay a lot of money to watch their favorite sport team play against a rival. They stay because they want to see who’s going to win. Once that’s decided, they leave. They pay for the surprise of what might happen while they’re there.
I live constantly on the lookout for life’s surprises.
It’s true, I do! Everywhere I go, I walk with my head up, observing the people walking by, offering a smile, and checking out my surroundings. This is how you don’t miss gorgeous sunsets. Or the amazing smile of a stranger walking past.
And if you’re a God-believer, like I am, try this: When I wake up, and when I enter into a different situation, I pray, “Ok, God…what have you got for me now?”
Being continually on the lookout for these beautiful blessings, these “surprises,” turns on the bright lights, opens your senses to be able to see and respond to all that life is offering, and allows you to walk through life with a sense of gratitude and wonder.
Don’t be surprised when people wonder what is your secret…
Good morning Mark. I have to say that I enjoy watching you grow and learn. It gives me hope.
Also, I purchased a T-shirt from one of your shows at a church many years ago which says: Hope changes everything. I wear it often and people comment favorably on it. Thank you. Peace, Maryanne