Ch. #127--Anything Goes POSITIVE with the Opt. Twist of: Be Inspired by an UNEXPECTED Event in Your Past...Midway

 

Hey folks! Welcome back to the Path of Positivity Challenge Blog! It is the third Monday of the month and that means that it is time to present the midway for Challenge #127. It is my fond hope that each of you and your own families continue to stay happy, safe, and well, wherever it is you live in this big wide world of ours. 

As we are a unique kind of challenge blog, it is important for you to understand how things work. Please be sure to check out the START POST FOUND HERE for the specific details related to this month's challenge, and you can find out all the general details you need to know in order to participate, by clicking on the 'Challenge Details' tab (located at the top of the blog). For your convenience, a summary of the most important rules can now be found in the right sidebar under the heading 'General Rules'.
 
Right now, it is time to continue with our midway. Here is a refresher of the details for our current twist:

 

 

Challenge #127

Anything Goes POSITIVE with the Opt. Twist of 

Embracing the Unexpected:

Be Inspired by an UNEXPECTED Event in Your Past

 

It is a new year and it is time to delve into a new theme for the next 12 months. 

 

In the voyage of our lives we are constantly having to learn to deal with the unexpected. No matter how much of a planner we are, throughout our years on this earth, we are going to come across circumstances that we can't plan for. On the milder side of things, it might be as simple as planning our entire day to get lots of things marked off our to-do list only to have an unexpected guest shows up on our doorstop to throw a monkey wrench into our plans; or, for the car not to start so we can't go to any of the places we need to get to to complete our tasks. Things that are more difficult to deal with would be situations like natural disasters, accidents and unexpected illnesses--things that have more lasting ramifications. Small or big, encountering unplanned for events is a part of life.

 

As difficult as it may be, dealing with the unexpected is a skill that we need to learn. We grow up in a world where there are supposed to be rules and consequences. A world where it is anticipated that 'the good' are rewarded and 'the bad' are punished. We crave predictability and control in our lives. Sometimes, things do work the way we expect. When they don't and it feels like our world is falling apart, we have a very difficult time giving up that perceived control. For many, we can easily become overwhelmed and anxious when we are pushed out of our comfort zones. In certain circumstances we may feel completely out of our depth having to deal with situations where we have no experience. Our reactions to these types of events, say a lot about us and about our resilience. Novelist, Christina Baker Kline has said, "The twists and turns of your life can be so unexpected, and that's a good thing to learn". 

 

Let's face it. Whether we want them or not, we are going to be bombarded with challenges throughout our life. While we can plan for the expected ones, it is how we react to the unexpected ones, that say a lot about our character. Do you let these unexpected happenings roll off your shoulders and go with the flow; are you more prone to having a stressful reaction; or, are you somewhere in the middle? The thing is, you just never know when one of these unexpected events could change your life completely--and it some cases, it might even be for the better. Whether you love them or you hate them, it is not going to change the fact that you have to face these challenges when they arise. Like many situations that we have to deal with, the only thing we have control over is our personal attitude towards the event and the steps we take to deal with it.

 

Now I'm not going to sit here and tell you to 'keep your chin up' or 'grin and bear it' or that 'everything will be just fine'. Platitudes are not helpful when it comes to dealing with something we never thought we would ever come up against. How we react emotionally and how we resolve our challenges is unique to each of us. I myself have a difficult time dealing with change. I think at some point we all become comfortable with the ebb and flow of life and that makes it difficult to adjust to change--whether it is for the good or for the worse. When confronted with new challenges (or even old ones), I am easily overwhelmed and become stressed. It often takes me some time to figure out how to navigate through the challenges life throws my way. I often feel out of my depth and unsure how to proceed. I simply have to keep reminding myself that nothing stays the same in this life of ours. Nothing is certain. Life is constantly changing whether we wish it to or not. What we can control is how we react to the situation, how we deal with the event and how we move forward. We all need a little time to adjust when the unexpected comes our way. Some, like myself, may need more time than others but the key is that once we've sat in it for the time we need, we need to take that step and move forward.

Keep in mind, it is during unexpected and challenging times that we need to remember that just as the bad can happen, so can the good. In some circumstances, it is very possible that we might find that the unexpected can impart gifts or possibly even blessings; finding the 'silver lining' so to speak. Poet, Carl Sandburg, has said, "Nearly all the best things that came to me in life have been unexpected, unplanned by me." Now of course, these 'silver linings' in no way negate the bad. If you encounter an unexpected event that you consider negative, you still have to deal with that aspect of the situation. Any good you may experience in no way cancels out the bad. Any 'silver lining' that comes up will not suddenly turn the situation into a good one. However, these little blessings may make the make good and bad less absolute, less stark. When good intertwines with bad, some of the shadows surrounding the darkness may lessen or even disappear. Just like most things in life, it isn't simply black and white--good and bad can coexist at the same time. Happiness & sadness; joy & pain; hope & fear; light & dark; good & bad. Each of these can exist simultaneously alongside the other. Sadness, fear and pain may be experienced when something unexpected comes our way. Those feelings are real. Bad things do happen. However, it is also possible to catch glimpses of happiness, joy and hope during these difficult times as well.

 

As always, it comes down to perspective. If we are not challenged, we will not grow. It is very possible that dealing with the unexpected may help us to grow and change in ways we may never have thought conceivable before. What if it is possible that you find your life's purpose through an unexpected event? What if it helps you to find your way to important relationships that could never have existed without dealing with the unforeseen? In learning to deal with the unexpected we can develop bravery, flexibility and adaptability. In essence, we grow as we become more resilient. What if grabbing on to the unpredictable sends our life in a direction we may never have found otherwise? As much as we may crave normality, stability and routine, we should allow ourselves to be open to the positive outcomes that may come up when we embrace the unexpected.

I will close out with a poem from William Blake which sums things nicely:

Joy and woe are woven fine,
Clothing for the soul divine:
Under every grief and pine
Runs a joy with silken twine.

It is right it should be so:
We were made for joy and woe;
And when this we rightly know,
Safely through the world we go.

Bibliography
Author Unknown. (Unknown). Embracing the Unexpected: How to Unlock Your Creative Mind. [Online]. https://www.authorceramics.com/blogs/creativity/unleashing-creativity-4-unexpected-ways-to-spark-new-ideas-thinking-outs. Last Updated: Unknown. Available at: https://www.authorceramics.com/blogs/creativity/unleashing-creativity-4-unexpected-ways-to-spark-new [Accessed 28 December 2024].

 

Blakemore, Adam. (2023). Embracing the Unexpected: How to Harness the Power of Serendipity to make your Best Work Yet. [Online]. Raindance. Last Updated: 18 August 2023. Available at: https://raindance.org/embracing-the-unexpected-how-to-harness-the-power-of-serendipity-to-make-your- [Accessed 28 December 2024].

Erick. (2023). “277 – Embracing the Unexpected: How to Handle Life’s Plot Twists Like a Stoic”. Stoic Coffee Break. 27 October 2023. [Podcast]. Available at https://stoic.coffee/blog/277-embracing-the-unexpected/. [Accessed 10 December 2024].

Hardman, Josephine. (Unknown.). Bracing Yourself Against Life the Fear of Loss & Vulnerability. [Online]. Josephine Hardman, PHD. Available at: https://josephinehardman.com/bracing-yourself-against-life-the-fear-of-loss-vulnerability/ [Accessed 28 December 2024].

Magidson, Sue, Rev. (2019). Expecting the Unexpected. [Online]. Quest for Meaning. Last Updated: December, 2019. Available at: https://www.questformeaning.org/quest-article/expecting-the-unexpected/ [Accessed 12 December 2024].

Following are the specific thoughts for January's twist:

 

It is the start of a new year. Often that means reflecting back on the year or years previous before embarking on new pathways. For your optional project this month, go through an old photo album, memory box or simply down memory lane and be inspired from an unexpected event in your past. 

 

Here are some examples to get you thinking:

• Did missing a bus/train/plane, lead you to an unexpected but pleasant encounter with a person you otherwise would never have met? Are they still in your life as a result? Based on this type of event, you could create a card to give to that person expressing what a gift it was to meet them or how much you enjoy them being in your life after all this time. 
• Were you upset that special or important plans you had were cancelled, only to be surprised by an even better event instead? You could create a collage with items from that day.
• Did you ever end up with an animal in your life that was completely unexpected? Create a card for someone that showcases an image that looks similar to your pet or you could create a scrapbooking or journal page that honours that special fur baby!
  
• Did you think you were moving to one location only to end up somewhere completely different? You could create a journal reflecting back on the joys you've experienced and the people you've met that you never would have, had your original move happened.

Remember, the twist is completely optional and you don't need to follow it in order to win. However, in order to be considered eligible for this month's goodies, remember that general types of projects/posts will not qualify for the honours and prize UNLESS they are also positive, inspirational, motivational or encouraging in some nature. Additionally, even if a project may qualify as positive, if your post promotes negativity, hatred or anything of an abhorrent nature, your project will be disqualified. Honours and Prize include:

• $6 worth of images from Scribbles Designs, for a person chosen in a random draw based on all qualifying entrants.
• A badge for the following honours: Top Pick, Voter's Choice, Most Inspirational, Random Winner, DT Delight.

To help inspire you further down the path of Embracing The Unexpected: Be Inspired by an UNEXPECTED Event in Your Past, check out the wonderful projects my Design Team had the opportunity to create. Clicking on each team member's name will take you to their blog where you can check out the details for their inspirational creations.

 

 

 

Thanks again to my astounding design team! As always, each of them have their own unique avenues of creation which I thoroughly admire. Each of these designs has demonstrated the theme of Embracing The Unexpected: Be Inspired by an UNEXPECTED Event in Your Past splendidly, and I hope we have motivated you throughout this challenge to come up with your own work of handicraft. Be sure to go and visit these accomplished ladies so you can see just how their projects tie in to the twist.

 

Why not join us, if you haven't entered already? Create a project and/or post that is positive, inspirational, motivational or encouraging in some nature and join our link up. How about stretching yourself by also opting to follow the twist?! How do you typically deal with the unexpected in your life? Do you view it with trepidation or take it on as a challenge? This month it is time to take a look into your past and be inspired in your creativity by an unexpected event that turned out to offer up some nice blessings. Did you meet someone special, change careers, end up someplace completely unexpected? How has your own life become better after encountering an unplanned event? You can write a sentence or two in the body of your post, write a sentence at the bottom of your post next to the link up for this challenge, or simply leave a comment on this post if you'd like.

Also, I know that the participants would love for you to go and pay them a visit. Remember we're creating a Path of Positivity to follow one project at a time and we'd love to see you somewhere on that route even if it is just by leaving a comment on an entry from someone who has touched you somehow with their project and/or post! You can find our list of participants and enter our latest challenge yourself by clicking HERE and scrolling down to the bottom of the post.

 

GENEROUSLY SPONSORED BY…

Please show your support to our wonderful sponsor, Scribbles Designs, by going over and checking out their work and saying hi if you have the chance. You may also just find an image or two to add your your collection!

Thank you so much to this awesome Canadian company for their
continued support of this challenge blog!

Don't Forget...

Winners for challenge #126 will be posted next Monday if everything goes according to plan. You can find the Top Picks post HERE.

 

If you ever have any questions be sure to leave me a comment.

 

Click HERE to head to the current challenge post & link up!

 

 

We look forward to seeing you participate!