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All right. Let's start right here with not being predictable. I've read the comments by Pema Chödrön, Judy Lief and you and they are all rather serious: Don't hold on to a grudge, don't further your own agenda, go against the status quo in society. I find that terribly predictable.

I have a different take on that slogan: don't take yourself so seriously! Have an ice cream if you usually abstain, buy some flowers, go for a walk if you tend to sit in front of the TV, surprise yourself and your friends and throw an impromptu party. Be generous for once. Join a choir. Whatever it takes to get out of your rut.

I read a quote yesterday. It goes something like: You don't carry the weight of the Earth on your shoulders. The Earth carries you. Be grateful for all the abundance that the world offers us and allow yourself to be happy. That doesn't mean to be blind to all the suffering around us, but I am convinced that truly happy people make a difference in this world. Truly happy people are not greedy. They are generous and kind. They try to spread joy and they try to comfort others.

I definitely intend to become less predictable and surprise myself whenever I can. It is a challenge to break patterns but it is also exciting.

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I like that the approach you are describing for this incorporates previous slogans, like 5/21: 'Always maintain only a joyful mind' and 6/24: 'Chang your attitude but remain natural.'

The only question I have is: If it is predictable to interrupt the status quo, why is it so dangerous and threatening when someone does so?

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Nothing about the commentaries is wrong. They are simply ”predictably” serious, and I think we need playfulness and joy as much as serious thoughts. This slogan seems the right place for it. To try and surprise ourselves now and then. I should have been a little bit more explicit. 😊

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