Although The Stairway of Surprise is unabashedly and intentionally fun, its origin story reflects the serious power it has to improve your wellbeing. More than a decade ago, a gifted therapist told me that with severely depressed people, she’d ask them to check back in with her after a certain time period—maybe the next day,Continue reading “How It Started”
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Grins and belly laughs
Tending a surprise journal unavoidably ups your shared outward-delight game—have you experienced this yet? So maybe your partner/kid/friend/accountant/barista/co-worker says they’re just not the type to keep a surprise journal. But then, there you are, going about your business… and something happens, as it always does (thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you,Continue reading “Grins and belly laughs”
Day 1
Day 1 could be the day you get this book. Or it could be your birthday—the start of a new trip around the sun. Alternately, maybe you decide to begin writing in the book on New Year’s Day. But another way to start the book is to turn to the “day in the year” youContinue reading “Day 1”
Welcome to Surprise!
Why a surprise journal? Here’s the short answer: it is a perfect tonic for your nervous system. Keeping track of things that surprise you is a practice that calms your unconscious mind, your heart, and your physical body if they’re over-excited. And it stimulates them when they’re sluggish. In this blog, I’ll periodically explore aContinue reading “Welcome to Surprise!”