Georgia O’Keeffe – A Sunflower from Maggie [1937] Gandalf’s Gallery. Flickr.

“Surprise is the greatest gift which life can grant us.”

Boris Pasternak

How come surprise can be a gift? Well, just think about the joy in being faced with something wonderful, but totally unforeseen, perhaps an actual gift or an unexpected event.

This is an enriching experience, one that will stay in our minds over time and make us feel alive and excited.

The Present, oil painting on different materials, 50×75 cm, Margret Hofheinz-Döring.1967. Wikimedia Commons

“Everything that is new or uncommon raises a pleasure in the imagination, because it fills the soul with an agreeable surprise, gratifies its curiosity, and gives it an idea of which it was not before possessed.”

Joseph Addison

• The utter surprise of our existence

A Gift From The Garden – Albert Beck Wenzell. 1904. Wikioo

“Statistically, the probability of any one of us being here is so small that you’d think the mere fact of existing would keep us all in a contented dazzlement of surprise.”

Lewis Thomas

This quotation reminds us of how fortunate we are to have been born on this earth at all, and how amazingly low is the probability of our existence. Thomas implies that this should surprise us constantly, always being at the forefront of our minds.

If we really did allow ourselves such awareness on a regular basis, how might it affect our lives? If we were able to ponder over this miraculous fact, to be mindful of it, we might feel more grateful and appreciative, filled with wonder and awe at the miracle of our existence.

Sadly, in the often tough fight to get through the day, week or month, the mundanity of parts of our lives can seem to swamp any feelings of awe…

Edgar Degas – Repasseuses. 1884-6. Wikimedia Commons

It would appear that we often take the amazing fact of our existence for granted, and do not appreciate how unlikely it is that we have been a part of earth’s inhabitants. We are not often overwhelmed by the awareness of our enormous luck in relation to being alive at all in our extraordinary universe.

• Surprising ourselves through being mindful…and astonished

A Gorge in the Mountains (Kauterskill Clove) 1862. Sanford Robinson Gifford. Wikioo

“Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell others.”

Mary Oliver

The advice to “be astonished” is a meaningful reminder to us all; it is important to develop our sensitivities and awareness in such a way as to become acutely mindful of what is unfolding in our lives, in both our inner and outer worlds.

Otherwise, we may not notice, or be too busy to pay attention, we may be distracted, or be unappreciative of what is. We may look at things without really seeing them, without absorbing or taking into ourselves what we could perceive.

In the Countryside – Jean Baptiste Armand Guillaumin. 1895. Wikioo

We could, however, choose to surprise ourselves by deciding to focus on our surroundings, on the now, and to deeply connect with the countryside, the flowers, birdsong, blue skies, the universe. Then we will discover, perhaps to our surprise, that, because of our changed inner attitude, what we are seeing will also be different.

Developing such focus is connected to staying in the now, in the present. What can you see, hear, taste smell, touch, in this very moment? You may be surprised to perceive what has previously escaped your attention…

Joseph Ducreux – Self Portrait, called La Surprise. Between 1791 and 1799. Wikimedia Commons

“Art must take reality by surprise.”

Francoise Sagan

Art must surprise us in some way in order to be effective, and to make a real impression on us. It can, and should, startle us in many ways, perhaps through confronting us with alternative viewpoints, different ways of thinking, or by showing us some truths and realities of life that have previously been hidden or denied.

Art must, at times, be uncomfortable, or even disruptive, challenging rigidities and set ideas and surprising and awakening us, disturbing our sensibilities.

Turner. Slavers throwing overboard the Dead and Dying — Typhoon coming on (“The Slave Ship”) 1840. Wikimedia Commons

This painting by Turner represents a direct condemnation of the cruelty, immorality and brutality of the slave trade. Although slavery had been abolished in Britain at the time, it still existed in other areas of the world. This work was created for an anti-slavery conference.

Turner’s art represented a powerful- and morally shocking- critique of the dreadful practice of throwing dead or dying people overboard, as insurance was only paid on those who had drowned, not those who were ill. The painting was designed to shock and cause revulsion and outrage.

‘Burr Macro BlackBg.jpg.A burr. This fruit attaches to animal fur via the hooks on its surface to improve distribution. Velcro is an example of a biomimetic invention which has copied burrs and uses small flexible hooks to reversibly attach to fluffy surfaces.’Zephyris. Wikimedia Commons.

“Society is always taken by surprise at any new example of common sense.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Sometimes, we may be surprised by discoveries that have been there in front of us, in plain sight, for our whole lives. If someone has a brilliant stroke of ‘common sense,’ the ordinary can become extraordinary in an instant, surprising us all!

A powerful example of this is the invention of velcro, explained above, as well as the discovery that a chameleon’s tongue can inspire a ‘bionic versatile gripper,’which is a robotic gripping device. You may be surprised to see this obvious use of common sense and innovation combined…

Chameleon’s tongue striking at food, Animated GIF. SurreyJohn. 2014. Wikimedia Commons.

The lesson here is to develop and use our common sense in ways that could benefit our lives and the lives of others. Developing new ways of thinking about everyday experiences and about life in general can mean that we become less stuck in old patterns, freeing ourselves to be more creative and innovative.

Seeing things differently will enable us to gain fresh perspectives, new approaches, which may surprise ourselves and others, stimulating people to learn and look again at commonly accepted truths.

• Surprising turns of fate…

Edvard Munch – Taken by Surprise. 1907. Wikimedia Commons

“A story to me means a plot where there is some surprise. Because that is how life is – full of surprises.”

Isaac Bashevis Singer

Life is, indeed, full of surprises. However, not all surprises in life feel good. Some can be devastating and shocking, signalling changes that may not always be welcome.

Life is unpredictable and uncertain and often we are shocked at the way it turns out. The best laid plans are thwarted at the last minute, circumstances change in an instant. In the blink of an eye, we can be utterly surprised, shocked, derailed, obstructed, hamstrung, defeated….

Whilst many times we have no choice but to accept fate’s decree, as time passes and we become accustomed to the inevitable changes, we may discover that there are ways in which we can use our personal power to make the best of things for ourselves.

Managing uncertainty and not knowing how things will turn out is not easy to do, but, in time, we can find that we will become increasingly able to make the choices that feel right for us. We will be surprised to discover that we can be more creative and feel motivated and alive, as we contribute to the shape and direction of our life, even after periods of great distress.

“The road ahead is not some predetermined path that I am forced to tread, but it is a rich byway that I can help create.”

Craig D. Lounsbrough

We will never know which choices in life are the ‘right’ ones for us unless we try them and make the decision to move into a new area… then we might surprise ourselves!

 A Pleasant Surprise. Henry Ryland. Wikimedia Commons

“People are full of surprises, even for themselves, if they have been stirred enough.”

James Baldwin, Giovanni’s Room

How can we be a surprise to ourself? One way is to discover that we can actually cope with much more than we ever imagined we could. Sometimes, especially when we find ourselves in difficult circumstances, we may be taken aback at how much we can manage; we can realise that we are stronger, and braver than we ever imagined. Baldwin feels that we need to be ‘stirred’ emotionally in order to find our hidden depths.

Perhaps there are occasions when we need to challenge ourselves, to stimulate our dormant potential and discover untapped stores of energy, creativity and ability. We may surprise ourselves with what we find.

Ferdinand Hodler – Portrait of Giulia Leonardi [1910]Gandalf’s Gallery, Flickr.

“Surprise yourself every day with your own courage.”

Denholm Elliott