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Mary Hendra

Wishing you the Joy of Little Surprises

Published over 1 year ago • 1 min read

December 1, 2024

Breath of Grace

The other day, as we walked back from the park, I glanced up in the sky and saw this…

Gorgeous, right?

It was such a beautiful and unexpected joy, I had to stop and take a couple photos.

Surprise is one of those delightful emotions for which we can choose to create space. Had I not looked up, been willing to pause, or even gone out for a walk before the sun set, I would never have seen this amazing sky. It wasn’t that I was looking for a surprise, but rather the surprise was a gift I could receive once I created space and opportunity both physically and mentally.

My family has teased me a little this week about my advent calendars (I have 4 in the house). They are another way to construct space for surprise. There is joy and delight in the anticipation: what will be behind the door today?

I wonder if it isn’t the daily cultivation of surprise that has greater impact than whatever is behind the door.

And, I love that we can create this type of thing for ourselves just as much as buying something prepared by others. This can be done as simply as going on a walk daily where you cultivate that desire and observation for a delightful surprise, or taking a little time to create your own “surprise box” of prompts or messages.

Surprise doesn’t need to be limited to special occasions or one month a year.

Wishing you the delight of small surprises, whether stumbled upon or joyfully anticipated,

Mary

Wondering about my four advent calendars this year?

  • A dog toy advent calendar, for the rescue puppy, who will undoubtedly quickly pick up that this is a fun new daily activity and start getting me out of my chair to open a door.
  • A game advent calendar I got for my husband and I to play together.
  • A tea advent calendar my sister gave me. We’ve had such joy with tea advent calendars the past few years, sometimes trying new or different ones, sometimes all having the same one - almost like having a cup of tea together every morning in December.
  • And naturally, a chocolate advent calendar from a favorite chocolatier, given me by my husband.

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Mary Hendra

Mary Hendra

Mary Hendra brings curiosity, creativity, and compassion to individuals and teams through Move with Grace. Redefining “play” for the modern, busy adult, her workshops and cohort programs foster self-reflection and build clarity so that you can take action.

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