Were you surprised today? Why? How? What surprised you? Was it a positive surprise? How do you determine that it was or was not positive? Is that based on your initial reaction or on how the surprise resonates as you move forward?
If we eliminate serious bad news or catastrophic events, do you generally like surprises? Do you generally dislike surprises? Does it depend on the type of surprise? What is the best thing about surprises? What do you not like about surprises?
“Surprises are foolish things. The pleasure is not enhanced, and the inconvenience is often considerable.” — Jane Austen
Do you enjoy surprising others? What intrigues you most about surprising others? Do our responses to surprises reveal a lot about who we are and how we operate?
Do surprises, which by definition are a distraction or disruption in the status quo, require a reassessment of what is happening at the moment?
“A sudden bold and unexpected question doth many times surprise a man and lay him open.” ~ Francis Bacon ,
Are funny jokes, which elicit laughter from an unexpected twist on our expectations, a form of surprise? Do surprises (and jokes) provide a test of our mindfulness? Do they give us a chance to bring our attention back to the present?
Are surprises basically distractions that interfere with our current situation? Are they an opportunity to take a deep breath and reset? Do they provide connections to our emotions?
In your world, are you a fan of surprises? Would you just as soon not deal with surprises? Do you avoid surprising others? Would you prefer not to be surprised? Are you ambivalent about surprises?
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