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Sometimes, it can be easy to get “into a rut”
choosing the routine or the “ordinary”
perhaps NOT expanding…
NOT trying new ideas, activities or perspectives
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And so…
perhaps instead,
to shift gears,
to surprise oneself
by not choosing the ordinary
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Every few months….
I benefit from reminding myself
(or maybe giving myself a “protein boost”)
to “surprise myself,”
to get out of repetitive ruts, habits or limitations.
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There are so many activities, classes, people and opportunities
to choose to explore, reach out, expand, experiment,
to consider not choosing
“the ordinary”
~
~
a bit like my own version of a delicious Jamba Juice with a protein boost
…except…
I need to add my own “energy boost”
~
tapping into
my own motivation, energy, initiative…
~
~
and one of the most satisfying of all
help someone else….
somebody…
anybody…
~
there are so many people who might benefit
from our creativity, energy, ideas and support
~
~
and so….
to learn to tap into and use our positive energies
to create new possibilities, opportunities and perspectives
to wake up…
to surprise myself,
to surprise ourselves
by not choosing our “ordinary”
~
~
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A few hours after this was posted: maybe I’m even more “suggestible” than I thought???….this afternoon, I actually managed to download (or upload?) some audio lectures that I was interested in…then managed to “unzip” them, open them, save them, get them into itunes….and then…amazingly enough!….even transferred (uploaded???… downloaded???) them to the itunes/music part of my iphone…and now I can listen to them anytime…wow…ALL BY MYSELF….no one here to help me out…I did it!…talk about “surprise myself!”….I certainly did!…maybe I’ll try to “surprise myself ” in little ways (or big ways, but little ways are also fine with me) throughout this week….a page to notice and remember some ways I “surprise myself”
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Pocket Perspectives 
I love this!! and, may I add, I really, really needed to hear this today.
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I’m happy that you might benefit from this idea too…I sure need it today! I’ve used this idea over a period of several years and it seems to help “get me going.” …and as you mentioned in your other comment from “today is your moment, now is your story”…they do fit together well. Thanks for noticing that and bringing it to my attention!
(https://pocketperspectives.wordpress.com/2011/11/15/today-while-the-blossoms-still-cling-to-the-vine-today-is-my-moment/ )
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I’m not surprised to hear you were successful. 🙂
Eric
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Well, that’s interesting that you’re not surprised…I’m shocked that I managed to do that…I thought it was close to being a miracle! 😀 I did realize afterwards that when I really want something…I REALLY wanted those lectures…that I can go far beyond what I might consider my “tech-limitations” and pursue and persist…a nice surprise, indeed!
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Perhaps, just perhaps, you are far more capable than you give yourself credit for… Just a thought.
Nonetheless, you’re right. A pleasant surprise is a wonderful thing!
Take care,
Eric
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thank you, Eric, for that vote of confidence…. : )
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It’s great to create those unexpected surprises. Congrats on your audio tape experience . . . enjoy the lectures.
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Yay…. such a wonderful surprise that was…and now I have so many hours of interesting ideas to listen to…wow!
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It isn’t hard to get into a rut, that’s for sure! Especially if we’re not particularly uncomfortable. I love the idea of surprising myself. And good for you for downloading the lectures. There are some great things out there if we just get over the fear of technology! Ha! Debra
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I find that “surprising myself” can provide a motivator/energy boost when, as you write, one isn’t particularly uncomfortable. I have started listening to some of the audios…lots of good ideas.
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We’re on the same page you and I. 🙂
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Yes, we do seem to be pursuing similar ideas and aspirations…and sharing them with others. It’s such a surprise to me to be lacking direction/motivation…but reasonable, I suppose, as I switch gears to not teaching kids/school and pursuing…ummmm….I don’t know quite what I’m pursuing. Interestingly, since I made posted this, I’ve done a number of positive things that really have surprised me…unexpectedly applying energy…nice surprises, indeed!
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Take a look at this page on my blog and see if it resonates with you: http://thechangeyourlifeblog.wordpress.com/take-the-opportunity-today-to-write-a-description-of-your-perfect-day/
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Stuart, thanks for that link… it definitely resonates. It’s those underlying core feelings/qualities I’m trying to figure out/identify.
The post with some of those brainstorming pages: https://pocketperspectives.wordpress.com/2012/04/14/brainstorming-strategy-chart-for-faith-in-a-good-outcome/
Paying attention to the “glimmer” to try to figure it out. https://pocketperspectives.wordpress.com/2012/05/05/each-of-us-usually-has-a-glimmer-of-what-our-hearts-desire-is/
Some intentions/aspirations I figured out in June: https://pocketperspectives.wordpress.com/2012/06/15/yippeeee-i-did-it-i-actually-did-it/
Another one…. https://pocketperspectives.wordpress.com/2011/12/28/its-amazing-the-things-we-do-to-avoid-doing-amazing-things/
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I chuckled out loud and celebrated your uploading or dowloading the lectures and doing everything by yourself. I know the feeling of accomplishment without asking for help. I always have Phil to help me but actually do a little victory dance when I, Marie , did all by myself! 🙂 Enjoyed your message on getting out of ruts. THANK YOU for this!
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Yay for both of us when we accomplish tech challenges!
And getting out of ruts… a common challenge, I think. I’m finding doing that to be a bit more challenging when not having an actual “job”…motivation was easier as a teacher than as a…umm….a transitioner… I’m thinking of starting a group “teachers without principals”… twp….no boss watching…being independently motivated to actively live by one’s principles…Now starting a group called that would certainly be a surprise!
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Sounds like a good plan, Kathy! 🙂
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Great idea! I’ve been in a bit of a rut lately. Thanks. 🙂
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I hope some of the ideas might give a boost! Strangely enough, I’ve been doing lots of surprising things since I posted this…without deliberately trying! I also printed out that bottom blank star page and have been jotting down “surprising/unexpected/unusual” things I’ve done each day…I’m surprising myself! Good luck!
(isn’t finding “motivation” an interesting endeavor?…I find it kind of fascinating and am exploring this “quest/confusion” in some new image pages… Don Quixote, here I come!… )
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I like the way you explained about “Surprise myself….consider NOT choosing “my ordinary…” Thanks for sharing this great info with us.
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