The Power of Positive Surprise

Everyday life is full of the unexpected, and making an extra effort to notice and appreciate the times when those little surprises are good ones can help build a sense of positivity and confidence about the world. Whether it’s something big (a step forward in a new relationship!) or something small (my houseplant bloomed!) let’s collect a record of all the good things that happen this month that were not according to our plan! This challenge offers a chance to enhance your optimism and keep your mind sharp by delighting it with everyday novelty!

Habit:

Notice a positive surprise!

Daily:

Note down one or more pleasant surprises from your day.

To Do:

Choose a place to record your happy surprises (a blank notebook, a diary, a fresh Google doc, whatever format you like!)

Share with the Living Vividly Guild about something unexpected that you enjoyed.

Reflection:

May’s challenge was a pleasant one, though not always effortless. There were a few days that i really struggled to notice something that was both positive and unexpected! Looking back over my notes, it seems like the areas that offer me the most consistent positive surprises are local wildlife (especially birds), and things unfolding in my garden. Sometimes I was also surprised by people–being messaged by an old friend unexpectedly, or having my husband do an unusually good job cleaning up the kitchen before bed, which was a great start to my day.