Managing your emotions Day 5 Surprise

They recognized him as the one who used to sit begging at the Beautiful Gate of the temple and they were all astonished and amazed at what had happened to him (Acts 3:10)

Life is full of surprises and unexpected events. Some are good and others bad, some are pleasant and others unpleasant. Surprise is a normal emotion, often short lived but triggers other emotions and leaves its trail for some time. Kids love surprises and often it is a goody, a chocolate or ice cream, a toy or a game!But as we grow we need bigger and better things to spring the surprise element!

In Jn.4: 5-14, we contemplate the encounter Jesus had with the Samaritan woman who went alone to the common well to fetch water in the hot sun. Recall the different characters in the narration - the woman, Jesus, His disciples, the villagers. Every one of them had their own surprises. Each is a story about oneself, revealing one’s thoughts and perspectives, leaving different impacts! Self -awareness, Self -acceptance, Self- inadequacy and Self–revelation. No matter where your surprise starts, what is important is where it leads to: Self-transformation, Self-actualization? Yes! How true is the saying “We don’t see the things the way they are; we see them as we are”!

Surprise is normally aroused by some event happening unexpectedly, that we never anticipated. When it is pleasant news, we are happily excited. When it speaks about a disappointment or a lurking danger, we gear up with defences or protections. When it is extremely bad, it gives us a shock; we lose our cool, our mind refuses to think, other emotions like fear, anxiety, helplessness and despair rip us out!

How do we deal with the emotion called surprise? Any sudden news, whether good or bad, does the heart no good. Personal maturity probably lies in taking life as it comes, just living the present, not expecting anything! Remember there are many players in your life and life takes its own course in surprising ways. Perhaps when you draw plans, provide for plan B too. Build an inner strength and with a little emotional detachment like St. Paul who said “For, to me to live is Christ and to die is gain”. (Ph.1:21) Can we take pleasures and pains, feasts and fasts, possessions and deprivations with equanimity! Positive thinking will also help us to see bright spots even in dark situations. Time is the best healer for all hurts as they say!

Remember how the risen Jesus took Mary Magdala by surprise when she came looking for his body? Jesus appeared in the guise of a gardener and revealed Himself by calling her “Mary”! And the excited Mary responded “Rabboni”! (Jn.20:16). The Lord may surprise us, but He is never taken by surprise! For He knows everything.

Lord Jesus may we encounter you in all our life’s ups and downs, and experience your gifts of Peace and Joy.