Expect the Unexpected

"Nearly all the best things that came to me in life have been unexpected, unplanned by me."

- Carl Sandberg

It's almost over. September that is. That time of year when the nights start getting darker, colours start changing in the landscape and the days start to get wetter and colder. You only have to look back over the last couple of weeks to see that Autumn is definitely on it's way. We've all come to accept what happens. It's going to get colder and wetter and darker, that's it! No surprises. Just the expected things taking place.

Well today wasn't so expected. As the grey mist began to rise this morning it was quite clear to see a blue sky beginning to emerge. And what....what is that light in the sky...the sun? Making an appearance? In September? WOW! Not only did it pop it's head out for an hour or two but the sun seemed to stay all day. Not only that but it got warm too! I was strangely warm, really warm, so warm I had to take my jumper off and open windows in work. It really was unexpected.

For a time of year where we have come to expect specific types of weather and changes, today was definitely an unexpected moment. One which I wish stayed around for a bit longer. Warm winter's would be lovely, but realistically, it's probably going to get colder.

But the unexpected heat wave (ok, so maybe not a heatwave) was not what I had expected today. How often is that like life?

How often do we get up and start the day expecting things to happen, knowing what sorts of things will face us, expecting certain events to take place because that's what we're used to. Yet so very often life is filled with the unexpected moments. We expect one thing and face another. Ever been in that situation?

This kid has been. Watch what happens when Spiderman reveals himself (to be his military dad back from Iraq!)

Purely unexpected! Wow!

And so I end with this thought.

In life we spend our time organising ourselves and setting things in place so we know what's coming. So that we know what to expect. We're not people who like unexpected things because how will we prepare? How will we know what to do? How can we know what to expect? Quite simply you can't. Unexpected moments are just not something we're prepared for. And for some of us, that's not something we are comfortable with. Sometimes we even try to prepare and plan for the unexpected moments in life with the hope that nothing will catch us out. Why would we take out insurance otherwise?

Truth is we can't do anything about those surprises and unexpected moments in life. But that's a good thing. Life should be full of times where we are kept on our toes. Kept living life on the edge. Not getting comfortable but always ready to embrace new challenges.

So in your day to day life remember; don't expect the unexpected to be what you expect the unexpected to be (That was a mouthful)! Those moments never look the same and no two are ever identical.

The question is, what are you not expecting to happen today? You never know when your unexpected moments can become the new challenge in your life.

Bywyd sydd yn byw! - Just living life!

RM