“All growth is a leap in the dark, a spontaneous unpremeditated act without the benefit of experience.” Henry Miller
“Ultimately spiritual awareness unfolds when you’re flexible, when you’re spontaneous, when you’re detached, when you’re easy on yourself and easy on others.” Deepak Chopra
These are two of my favorite quotes relating to spontaneity. They appeal to me. When I was growing up I was very structured and enjoyed making plans. Plans for everything. I could never have been accused of being too spontaneous. I wasn’t even close! Spontaneity scared me. It was an unknown. I didn’t like unknowns. I wanted it all laid out for me. Had I only realized what I was missing.
When I grew up, it became clear that even if I wasn’t spontaneous myself, spontaneous things happened to me, i.e. without my control. I could plan all I wanted but sometimes life would interfere and something entirely different would occur. I would adjust, of course, but it was never my plan A.
I suspect there are many people whose thinking is very similar to what mine was. I say “was” because I have grown and now can embrace spontaneity – well, at least hold its hand. I am still a planner. I still like to know what’s going to happen tomorrow. It brings me security. I think that goes back to my father. He was rather unpredictable when my sister and I were growing up. He would get angry with us when we couldn’t figure out what we had done to deserve it. It threw both of us both off our game. We handled it differently, being different people. My sister grew up and married a wonderful, fairly predictable man, someone she could count on to be level headed. I became very structured and in control of my life. For a while it was almost neurotic but I didn’t notice. I had to control my environment to feel safe and secure. And I succeeded, mostly.
But that is not very realistic, is it? You cannot control anyone but yourself. You may try to control events and even other people, but you end up discouraged and sometimes depressed. Let go of that need right away. It won’t work!
I am talking about spontaneity today because the other evening when I was about to get into the shower so I could be ready when my husband got home, I got a phone call. My son needed me to come over and babysit my newest grandchild, and possibly spend the night. Of course I said “yes”. I didn’t hesitate. But I did get off the phone and for a brief moment I mourned the evening I had planned. Ah, there was the old Sarah, still trying to maintain her structured life. And don’t get me wrong, my life is still fairly structured, down to what I eat. But that would be boring so we won’t go there.
The point is that I can be spontaneous today, perhaps with a little nudge from my higher self. I truly believe the best things happen while being spontaneous! Meeting someone, perhaps the love of your life, because you gave in to your friend and went to that party you didn’t want to go to – or going to the movies at the last minute with your partner and having more fun than you anticipated. You know what I am talking about – spontaneity!
There is something to be said for structure, control and planning. However, there is so much more life, wonder and possibility in the act of being spontaneous. Try it! Maybe something magical will happen. :))