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Surprises

"Surprise" – a word that carries promises of novelty, or an unexpected twist, can be a jolt out of the status quo comfort zone. But what if we told you that surprises hold the key to unlocking insights?

According to the renowned psychologist Daniel Kahenman, learning something new isn't just about encountering surprising facts about the world; it's about finding those unexpected nuances within our own behavior.

In the moment of a surprise a unique avenue of learning opens up. This revelation might be more potent than any startling piece of information about the world at large. Curiosity of your intentions and your impulses can be a rich source of self-discovery.

Even better, your responses to surprises have the uncanny ability to evoke the essence of your 3-year-old self. There’s an awakening of a raw and unfiltered part of you that's often hidden beneath layers of adult veneer. These emotional echoes are teachable moments. Surprises are not just fleeting moments; they're catalysts for a cascade of reactions that resonate throughout your physical and emotional being.

And then there’s the potential to feel angry with a surprise moment. This can be a rather complex relationship, especially those linked to timelines and expectations. For instance, when a surprise thwarts your plans, anger might rear its head. However, taking the time to understand this connection may allow you to harness it into a structured redirection. Then, next time around, you can deftly navigate around a trigger that might otherwise provoke anger.

Surprises behaviors can act as stepping stones towards self-mastery. Personal growth emerges from those observation. You’ll not only gain insights into your emotions but what will become of that situation can be a conscious endeavor, guided by self-awareness.

Self-rate on a 1 (not at all) to 10 (completely) scale for further exploration.

I find enjoyment learning about my behavior responses and reactions.

I don’t react to any form of surprise.

I prefer not to be surprised in any way, shape, or form. Period.

REFERENCES

M.L. Siegal, A. Bergman, Canalization, C.W. Fox, J.B. Wolf (Eds.), Evolutionary Genetics: Concepts and Case Studies, Oxford University Press, Oxford (2006)

KAHNEMAN, D. (2011). THINKING, FAST AND SLOW. NEW YORK, NY: FARRAR, STRAUS AND GIROUX.