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Writer's picturecarolyn land

Creative Spirit Blog December 4, 2021 Prepare to Be Surprised


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"A man should look for what is, and not for what he thinks should be." Albert Einstein


Not everything needs to be “a plan”. Prepare to be surprised by life! No matter how carefully we plan, things happen, and we need to work with whatever happens. When the unplanned happens, it awakens something within us, and it shifts our perspectives.

It's intrinsic for us to want to set a path and seek answers, but as we know, life does not always work out exactly as we would like. Life is full of surprises! Life is a mystery and that is a positive!


Not knowing throws us into the present, which is exactly where we should be living. We should not ruminate about the past or worry about the future but live in the precious present.


I guess it is sort of an evolutionary heritage that life is a mystery and full of surprises which needs solving. It’s what motivates us to find out more and use our imaginations. Not knowing what is going to happen next is the ultimate trail of breadcrumbs, which piques our interest, invites us to solve or make sense of something, and use our creative energy to fill in the gaps.


No amount of skillful invention can replace the essential element of imagination.” Edward Hopper”


However, the big element we must have is, trust. We need to trust ourselves and our inner creative spirit. When we don’t know where we are going the outcome might just turn out to be greater than we ever imagined. We must trust our inner self to lead us. After all, mystery and surprise are at the heart of creativity.


I know that in my own work the best things are the things that just happen. They happen when I go deep inside and leave all conscience thought behind. “Being in the zone”


Ultimately I hope to surprise myself. The anticipation of discovering new possibilities becomes my greatest joy.” Jerry Uelsmann


For some people however the desire to avoid surprise and mystery is paramount, often because they fear appearing foolish or ill-prepared. But this leads to stagnation. So long as we fear vulnerability and play it safe, we stop ourselves from exploring and being awed by life events, creative, and innovative.


Unfortunately, this is obvious in many areas of life. It is seen in the micromanaging boss, teacher, spouse, or parent, who kills, stifles, and retards, innovation, creativity, and growth. They over plan and try to control each outcome. They see the world as they want it to be and not as it is…a fluid, ever changing sphere with ultimate possibilities.


When we embrace the mystery and surprise in our lives, we can inspire wonder, connection, vulnerability, growth, and creativity. We can be awed by life! All we need is the right tools in our “toolbox” and we can manage any surprise that comes our way, in life and in our creative endeavors.


Happy Holidays! May which ever holiday you celebrate, bring you and your family joy, a few surprises, and just a little mystery! Carolyn

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