Expect the Unexpected

Expect the Unexpected

Mitchell:Before this blog starts I have something to say. The person who wrote this blog, is not only my “sister”, but she is also one of my biggest supports. If I ever need to talk, she is always there. Last Monday, she  officially became a sonographer and she's moving 1300 miles away for her new job in a couple of weeks. I just wanted to tell her “Congratulations, and thank you for always being there for me. I can't wait to see what God has planned for you. Love you Arden!”

Arden: Hi there.

I’m one of Mitchell’s best friends. Due to his stress level reaching an all time high, he allowed me to take over his blog for the week because it’s that time of year; finals season. It goes without saying that during finals week as well as the weeks leading up to it, one barely has time for anything else. Anyway, if you’ve been keeping up with Mitchell’s weekly blogs, you’ll know that we grew up together and he is basically the brother I never had. I have to warn you, though, I tend to be more math and science oriented and writing is not my strong suit. So, without further ado, here goes nothing.

My three sisters and Mitchell have always pursued life with more of a creative approach. Instead of staying inside and watching TV, playing video games, or just simply doing things the average kid would do, we would always be climbing trees and trying to parachute out of them, building teepees and other various forts, pretending we were in an alternate universe, painting Mitchell gold, and a myriad of other things. It’s safe to say that we’ve adapted this approach as young adults and we’ve come to welcome the fact that when one approaches new experiences with the same enthusiasm and free-spiritedness similar to when we were kids, awesome things start to happen. I like to call it the “expect the unexpected” movement.

Even when we aren’t all together for our usual shenanigans and adventures, the spirit of the group tends to follow us wherever we go. For example, I’ve gone on multiple trips without Mitchell and/or the girls and I now eagerly anticipate the unexpected that could (and usually always does) happen on any trip. Like the time one of my best friends and I hiked through Hurricane Michael in the Great Smoky Mountains and made it to a lookout spot just in time to see the white cloudy blanket separate and reveal the most amazing view I had ever seen. Or the time the same friend and I hiked through Colorado’s record blizzard season up into the Flatirons. Or the time I was at a fancy restaurant about to eat dinner and a baby mouse fell from the ceiling onto our table and then proceeded to scurry around the kitchen with the chefs going crazy trying to catch it…and yes, we did end up getting our dinner on the house.

Unfortunately, our society teaches us that we can control pretty much everything. There is an unlimited amount of filters or editing software to help us manipulate and control our looks and insecurities. There are programs that help us micromanage pretty much every aspect of life among other outlets that help us to “control”. Where’s the fun in that? Trust me, it’s definitely difficult to simply let go and let things happen as they do. As Mitchell mentioned in a couple blogs ago, I will be starting a new chapter in my life and moving cross country. Although, it’s terrifying to do alone, it’s also comforting to know that the right attitude and enthusiasm can make a world of difference. And even though I’ll be on the opposite side of the country, I will always be looking for a “piece of home” in the unexpected surprises that always come with every adventure.

The thing about the unexpected is the certainty of it happening. It’s just a matter of embracing the many possibilities and numerous memories that come with spontaneity. Be open and always remember, when you start to expect the unexpected, great things start to happen. Some might even say, greattastic.

Have a greattastic day!
Arden aka Han