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Surprise Me

Posted By: Randy GageApril 24, 2012

Okay so the blog’s a little whimsical today:  But has some intriguing food for thought.  Last night I ordered a side of spinach at Boston Market drive-thru and the clerk asked me, “creamed or garlic?”  I answered as I often do…

“Surprise me.”

I do that with waitresses and flight attendants often.  The reason is I’m very much a creature of habit and routine.  I can eat at the same restaurant 100 times and order the same thing every time.  And of course in the past, I’ve been very susceptible to control freak tendencies.  So this simple little quirk is my way to let go and shake things up in a minor way.

Here’s what’s really interesting about that…

It’s shocking how many times the other person panics when I say that.  They simply don't want the responsibility of deciding between chicken or beef, or what salad dressing to give me.  Some of them actually get quite flustered and anxious.

So the questions for today aren’t earthshaking, but interesting nonetheless…

How often do you allow yourself to give up control, even over minor things?  And how are you at making decisions when you need to?

-RG

40 comments on “Surprise Me”

  1. I tend to be good at making decisions. I was once told that the most successful people make decisions quickly and change their mind slowly. I'm not so sure that I make decisions so quickly as I tend to gather all necessary data and evaluate it thoroughly, especially when much is at stake, but I can tell you that once made, my decisions are not readily changed. With regard to giving up control, it generally isn't difficult when I have confidence in the person I am relinquishing control to. Sometimes I just don't care and don't want to have to expend the mental energy on making a decision, such as when a group is going to eat and can't decide where. In situations like that it is easier to just go with the flow and I'm happy not to have to deal with the drama involved in making the decision.

  2. I tend to be good at making decisions. I was once told that the most successful people make decisions quickly and change their mind slowly. I'm not so sure that I make decisions so quickly as I tend to gather all necessary data and evaluate it thoroughly, especially when much is at stake, but I can tell you that once made, my decisions are not readily changed. With regard to giving up control, it generally isn't difficult when I have confidence in the person I am relinquishing control to. Sometimes I just don't care and don't want to have to expend the mental energy on making a decision, such as when a group is going to eat and can't decide where. In situations like that it is easier to just go with the flow and I'm happy not to have to deal with the drama involved in making the decision.

  3. Randy
    , I have to say that my biggest learning curve came when I realized that by letting go of control and allowing God to bring the right people, things, and opportunities was a major shift for me, I had to get the old ego out of the way and allow the highest parts of me to lead.
     
    It not only opens the door for the right relationships and prosperity it also calms the body and mind and releases worry and anxiety. It's a process!
     
    At this point in life I find myself consulting with spirit when faced with making decisions, I allow quite time to get in touch with the essence of who I am

  4. Randy
    , I have to say that my biggest learning curve came when I realized that by letting go of control and allowing God to bring the right people, things, and opportunities was a major shift for me, I had to get the old ego out of the way and allow the highest parts of me to lead.
     
    It not only opens the door for the right relationships and prosperity it also calms the body and mind and releases worry and anxiety. It's a process!
     
    At this point in life I find myself consulting with spirit when faced with making decisions, I allow quite time to get in touch with the essence of who I am

  5. It's interesting to note that a restaurant staff person would have difficulty making such an inconsequential decision... However to propel yourself to the level where you want to be, to truly reach out and become the co-creator of your dreams, one must be able to not only make the difficult decisions but also place passion behind the decisions once made.
     
    I don't doubt that you normally pass by Boston Market and choose healthier options, Randy. You're already in the routine of selecting the best!

  6. It's interesting to note that a restaurant staff person would have difficulty making such an inconsequential decision... However to propel yourself to the level where you want to be, to truly reach out and become the co-creator of your dreams, one must be able to not only make the difficult decisions but also place passion behind the decisions once made.
     
    I don't doubt that you normally pass by Boston Market and choose healthier options, Randy. You're already in the routine of selecting the best!

  7. Well!  This brought back memories of when I was a waitress.  "I got another Mommy's boy - 'Mommy make up my mind for me'"   We'd roll our eyes, and make The Big Decision.  Speaking as a Mommy...I'd love to have other people make more decisions for me.  Tell me what clothes to wear...what's for dinner....how to respond to someone's email...what groceries to buy...the list goes on, endlessly.  I'm so tired of being the one who makes all the decisions!  Randy, do all service-people a favour (esp. women), and stop shuffling your personal responsibilies onto other people. Make Your Own Danged Decisions, fer gosh sakes. 

    1. On the other hand, as a "service person" I liked it when people asked, "What would you recommend?" or "which do you prefer, creamy or garlic?"  This honoured me as a human being, rather than just a service unit.  Tipping is good, too.  Just sayin'

  8. Well!  This brought back memories of when I was a waitress.  "I got another Mommy's boy - 'Mommy make up my mind for me'"   We'd roll our eyes, and make The Big Decision.  Speaking as a Mommy...I'd love to have other people make more decisions for me.  Tell me what clothes to wear...what's for dinner....how to respond to someone's email...what groceries to buy...the list goes on, endlessly.  I'm so tired of being the one who makes all the decisions!  Randy, do all service-people a favour (esp. women), and stop shuffling your personal responsibilies onto other people. Make Your Own Danged Decisions, fer gosh sakes. 

  9. I reached a lot in life from my point of view, and always deciding myself gets boring --> so when someone in a boutique/shop thinks he/she has the right thing for me to wear, yes, I allow them to show me and if I like it, I accept & buy.
    In restaurants I go for new meals every other time. But so far I never "tried" to give away responsibility to someone else who offers the chance to do so. I should do that on my next long distance flight when being a sardine in the huge back of the aircraft, a sardine without a head -
    ooops, eating will be hard then.... ;))

  10. I reached a lot in life from my point of view, and always deciding myself gets boring --> so when someone in a boutique/shop thinks he/she has the right thing for me to wear, yes, I allow them to show me and if I like it, I accept & buy.
    In restaurants I go for new meals every other time. But so far I never "tried" to give away responsibility to someone else who offers the chance to do so. I should do that on my next long distance flight when being a sardine in the huge back of the aircraft, a sardine without a head -
    ooops, eating will be hard then.... ;))

  11. Pretty damn hard to give up control even over other people's decision making. But being conscious of it helps. What else would you suggest RG to give-up control over things??
     
    Hersh Bhardwaj

  12. Pretty damn hard to give up control even over other people's decision making. But being conscious of it helps. What else would you suggest RG to give-up control over things??
     
    Hersh Bhardwaj

  13. I'm sure a lot of people here won't understand this, but I do the same thing with my tattoo artist. The guy is just so talented he'll start telling me how hes going to do something. And I just tell him to go nuts because I know no matter what he does it will look incredible.

  14. I'm sure a lot of people here won't understand this, but I do the same thing with my tattoo artist. The guy is just so talented he'll start telling me how hes going to do something. And I just tell him to go nuts because I know no matter what he does it will look incredible.

  15. Randy:
       Isn't that the human experience?they are control freaks even if they don't say they are.  I was just wondering this belief today:What if we took humans all their beliefs?A thought appears,you believe it,it becomes you are reality.  They would probably will become insane since the mind would had nothing to do.

  16. Randy:
       Isn't that the human experience?they are control freaks even if they don't say they are.  I was just wondering this belief today:What if we took humans all their beliefs?A thought appears,you believe it,it becomes you are reality.  They would probably will become insane since the mind would had nothing to do.

  17. On the other hand, as a "service person" I liked it when people asked, "What would you recommend?" or "which do you prefer, creamy or garlic?"  This honoured me as a human being, rather than just a service unit.  Tipping is good, too.  Just sayin'

  18. I, for one, really enjoy allowing others to be involved in the 'collaboration' of Life. If you known ANYTHING about the creative process, it's always best when others get involved. So in this case, "Surprise Me" is about 'allowing', freedom and yes, moving from the comfort zone. I remember years ago when doing a personal growth course being told that "Life BEGINS at the EDGE of  your comfort zone".. It just takes a little nudging to get there 🙂

  19. I, for one, really enjoy allowing others to be involved in the 'collaboration' of Life. If you known ANYTHING about the creative process, it's always best when others get involved. So in this case, "Surprise Me" is about 'allowing', freedom and yes, moving from the comfort zone. I remember years ago when doing a personal growth course being told that "Life BEGINS at the EDGE of  your comfort zone".. It just takes a little nudging to get there 🙂

  20. It can be hard for me, especially as a creative type. While many won't it admit, I think most people like control. 

  21. It can be hard for me, especially as a creative type. While many won't it admit, I think most people like control. 

  22. It drives me nuts ! Most of the time when i must make a dicision, i doubt. I'm also the kind of person that orders 100 times the same thing in the same restaurant. And that is because i like it ! why would i take something else and get disappointed when i don't like it. It makes no sence to me.

  23. It drives me nuts ! Most of the time when i must make a dicision, i doubt. I'm also the kind of person that orders 100 times the same thing in the same restaurant. And that is because i like it ! why would i take something else and get disappointed when i don't like it. It makes no sence to me.

  24. I would say i make decisions quickly with little to no stress involved on most day to day things.In social situations i am a flow with kinda guy,but at work i know the best way to do stuff and i can be controlling and i check myself sometimes cause its abusive at times and added stress to my self micro managing workers.

  25. I would say i make decisions quickly with little to no stress involved on most day to day things.In social situations i am a flow with kinda guy,but at work i know the best way to do stuff and i can be controlling and i check myself sometimes cause its abusive at times and added stress to my self micro managing workers.

  26. I'm with Just on this except for chosing which film to see at the cinema and then I'm afraid I do put on my control freak boots...:))

  27. I'm with Just on this except for chosing which film to see at the cinema and then I'm afraid I do put on my control freak boots...:))

  28. I'm not always so great at making decisions.  So I ask a man who is susceptable to control freak tendancies who is very clear with what he thinks is right.  I don't always listen!  I've got a LOT better at making deicisions and courting the best of my life - and am in one of the happiest periods of my life EVER...  It;s been by asking the question: What would I MOST LOVE? Cos I want my life to be something I TOTALLY love and adore... 

  29. I'm not always so great at making decisions.  So I ask a man who is susceptable to control freak tendancies who is very clear with what he thinks is right.  I don't always listen!  I've got a LOT better at making deicisions and courting the best of my life - and am in one of the happiest periods of my life EVER...  It;s been by asking the question: What would I MOST LOVE? Cos I want my life to be something I TOTALLY love and adore... 

  30. Ha! My hubster says that ALL the time » "Surprise Me"!
     
    Love your thought process here regarding letting go vs. making decisions. Interestingly, in the past I used to have a difficult time making decisions and once I learned how to let go … I now find that I naturally move in the right direction.
     
    Now, some of you are reading my words and say "MmHmm!", and others will say "Hmm?" If you're the latter, try letting go and over time you'll see how everything starts to fall into the right place at the right time.
     
    CLB

  31. Ha! My hubster says that ALL the time » "Surprise Me"!
     
    Love your thought process here regarding letting go vs. making decisions. Interestingly, in the past I used to have a difficult time making decisions and once I learned how to let go … I now find that I naturally move in the right direction.
     
    Now, some of you are reading my words and say "MmHmm!", and others will say "Hmm?" If you're the latter, try letting go and over time you'll see how everything starts to fall into the right place at the right time.
     
    CLB

  32. This post made me laugh because it is all about perspective. For you, Randy, it's giving up your control tendencies by saying, "surprise me" for others it may be the fear of making a decision and sticking to the consequences.... This can be prosperity or lack consciousness depending on your personal nature…..

  33. This post made me laugh because it is all about perspective. For you, Randy, it's giving up your control tendencies by saying, "surprise me" for others it may be the fear of making a decision and sticking to the consequences.... This can be prosperity or lack consciousness depending on your personal nature…..

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  • 40 comments on “Surprise Me”

    1. I tend to be good at making decisions. I was once told that the most successful people make decisions quickly and change their mind slowly. I'm not so sure that I make decisions so quickly as I tend to gather all necessary data and evaluate it thoroughly, especially when much is at stake, but I can tell you that once made, my decisions are not readily changed. With regard to giving up control, it generally isn't difficult when I have confidence in the person I am relinquishing control to. Sometimes I just don't care and don't want to have to expend the mental energy on making a decision, such as when a group is going to eat and can't decide where. In situations like that it is easier to just go with the flow and I'm happy not to have to deal with the drama involved in making the decision.

    2. I tend to be good at making decisions. I was once told that the most successful people make decisions quickly and change their mind slowly. I'm not so sure that I make decisions so quickly as I tend to gather all necessary data and evaluate it thoroughly, especially when much is at stake, but I can tell you that once made, my decisions are not readily changed. With regard to giving up control, it generally isn't difficult when I have confidence in the person I am relinquishing control to. Sometimes I just don't care and don't want to have to expend the mental energy on making a decision, such as when a group is going to eat and can't decide where. In situations like that it is easier to just go with the flow and I'm happy not to have to deal with the drama involved in making the decision.

    3. Randy
      , I have to say that my biggest learning curve came when I realized that by letting go of control and allowing God to bring the right people, things, and opportunities was a major shift for me, I had to get the old ego out of the way and allow the highest parts of me to lead.
       
      It not only opens the door for the right relationships and prosperity it also calms the body and mind and releases worry and anxiety. It's a process!
       
      At this point in life I find myself consulting with spirit when faced with making decisions, I allow quite time to get in touch with the essence of who I am

    4. Randy
      , I have to say that my biggest learning curve came when I realized that by letting go of control and allowing God to bring the right people, things, and opportunities was a major shift for me, I had to get the old ego out of the way and allow the highest parts of me to lead.
       
      It not only opens the door for the right relationships and prosperity it also calms the body and mind and releases worry and anxiety. It's a process!
       
      At this point in life I find myself consulting with spirit when faced with making decisions, I allow quite time to get in touch with the essence of who I am

    5. It's interesting to note that a restaurant staff person would have difficulty making such an inconsequential decision... However to propel yourself to the level where you want to be, to truly reach out and become the co-creator of your dreams, one must be able to not only make the difficult decisions but also place passion behind the decisions once made.
       
      I don't doubt that you normally pass by Boston Market and choose healthier options, Randy. You're already in the routine of selecting the best!

    6. It's interesting to note that a restaurant staff person would have difficulty making such an inconsequential decision... However to propel yourself to the level where you want to be, to truly reach out and become the co-creator of your dreams, one must be able to not only make the difficult decisions but also place passion behind the decisions once made.
       
      I don't doubt that you normally pass by Boston Market and choose healthier options, Randy. You're already in the routine of selecting the best!

    7. Well!  This brought back memories of when I was a waitress.  "I got another Mommy's boy - 'Mommy make up my mind for me'"   We'd roll our eyes, and make The Big Decision.  Speaking as a Mommy...I'd love to have other people make more decisions for me.  Tell me what clothes to wear...what's for dinner....how to respond to someone's email...what groceries to buy...the list goes on, endlessly.  I'm so tired of being the one who makes all the decisions!  Randy, do all service-people a favour (esp. women), and stop shuffling your personal responsibilies onto other people. Make Your Own Danged Decisions, fer gosh sakes. 

      1. On the other hand, as a "service person" I liked it when people asked, "What would you recommend?" or "which do you prefer, creamy or garlic?"  This honoured me as a human being, rather than just a service unit.  Tipping is good, too.  Just sayin'

    8. Well!  This brought back memories of when I was a waitress.  "I got another Mommy's boy - 'Mommy make up my mind for me'"   We'd roll our eyes, and make The Big Decision.  Speaking as a Mommy...I'd love to have other people make more decisions for me.  Tell me what clothes to wear...what's for dinner....how to respond to someone's email...what groceries to buy...the list goes on, endlessly.  I'm so tired of being the one who makes all the decisions!  Randy, do all service-people a favour (esp. women), and stop shuffling your personal responsibilies onto other people. Make Your Own Danged Decisions, fer gosh sakes. 

    9. I reached a lot in life from my point of view, and always deciding myself gets boring --> so when someone in a boutique/shop thinks he/she has the right thing for me to wear, yes, I allow them to show me and if I like it, I accept & buy.
      In restaurants I go for new meals every other time. But so far I never "tried" to give away responsibility to someone else who offers the chance to do so. I should do that on my next long distance flight when being a sardine in the huge back of the aircraft, a sardine without a head -
      ooops, eating will be hard then.... ;))

    10. I reached a lot in life from my point of view, and always deciding myself gets boring --> so when someone in a boutique/shop thinks he/she has the right thing for me to wear, yes, I allow them to show me and if I like it, I accept & buy.
      In restaurants I go for new meals every other time. But so far I never "tried" to give away responsibility to someone else who offers the chance to do so. I should do that on my next long distance flight when being a sardine in the huge back of the aircraft, a sardine without a head -
      ooops, eating will be hard then.... ;))

    11. Pretty damn hard to give up control even over other people's decision making. But being conscious of it helps. What else would you suggest RG to give-up control over things??
       
      Hersh Bhardwaj

    12. Pretty damn hard to give up control even over other people's decision making. But being conscious of it helps. What else would you suggest RG to give-up control over things??
       
      Hersh Bhardwaj

    13. I'm sure a lot of people here won't understand this, but I do the same thing with my tattoo artist. The guy is just so talented he'll start telling me how hes going to do something. And I just tell him to go nuts because I know no matter what he does it will look incredible.

    14. I'm sure a lot of people here won't understand this, but I do the same thing with my tattoo artist. The guy is just so talented he'll start telling me how hes going to do something. And I just tell him to go nuts because I know no matter what he does it will look incredible.

    15. Randy:
         Isn't that the human experience?they are control freaks even if they don't say they are.  I was just wondering this belief today:What if we took humans all their beliefs?A thought appears,you believe it,it becomes you are reality.  They would probably will become insane since the mind would had nothing to do.

    16. Randy:
         Isn't that the human experience?they are control freaks even if they don't say they are.  I was just wondering this belief today:What if we took humans all their beliefs?A thought appears,you believe it,it becomes you are reality.  They would probably will become insane since the mind would had nothing to do.

    17. On the other hand, as a "service person" I liked it when people asked, "What would you recommend?" or "which do you prefer, creamy or garlic?"  This honoured me as a human being, rather than just a service unit.  Tipping is good, too.  Just sayin'

    18. I, for one, really enjoy allowing others to be involved in the 'collaboration' of Life. If you known ANYTHING about the creative process, it's always best when others get involved. So in this case, "Surprise Me" is about 'allowing', freedom and yes, moving from the comfort zone. I remember years ago when doing a personal growth course being told that "Life BEGINS at the EDGE of  your comfort zone".. It just takes a little nudging to get there 🙂

    19. I, for one, really enjoy allowing others to be involved in the 'collaboration' of Life. If you known ANYTHING about the creative process, it's always best when others get involved. So in this case, "Surprise Me" is about 'allowing', freedom and yes, moving from the comfort zone. I remember years ago when doing a personal growth course being told that "Life BEGINS at the EDGE of  your comfort zone".. It just takes a little nudging to get there 🙂

    20. It can be hard for me, especially as a creative type. While many won't it admit, I think most people like control. 

    21. It can be hard for me, especially as a creative type. While many won't it admit, I think most people like control. 

    22. It drives me nuts ! Most of the time when i must make a dicision, i doubt. I'm also the kind of person that orders 100 times the same thing in the same restaurant. And that is because i like it ! why would i take something else and get disappointed when i don't like it. It makes no sence to me.

    23. It drives me nuts ! Most of the time when i must make a dicision, i doubt. I'm also the kind of person that orders 100 times the same thing in the same restaurant. And that is because i like it ! why would i take something else and get disappointed when i don't like it. It makes no sence to me.

    24. I would say i make decisions quickly with little to no stress involved on most day to day things.In social situations i am a flow with kinda guy,but at work i know the best way to do stuff and i can be controlling and i check myself sometimes cause its abusive at times and added stress to my self micro managing workers.

    25. I would say i make decisions quickly with little to no stress involved on most day to day things.In social situations i am a flow with kinda guy,but at work i know the best way to do stuff and i can be controlling and i check myself sometimes cause its abusive at times and added stress to my self micro managing workers.

    26. I'm with Just on this except for chosing which film to see at the cinema and then I'm afraid I do put on my control freak boots...:))

    27. I'm with Just on this except for chosing which film to see at the cinema and then I'm afraid I do put on my control freak boots...:))

    28. I'm not always so great at making decisions.  So I ask a man who is susceptable to control freak tendancies who is very clear with what he thinks is right.  I don't always listen!  I've got a LOT better at making deicisions and courting the best of my life - and am in one of the happiest periods of my life EVER...  It;s been by asking the question: What would I MOST LOVE? Cos I want my life to be something I TOTALLY love and adore... 

    29. I'm not always so great at making decisions.  So I ask a man who is susceptable to control freak tendancies who is very clear with what he thinks is right.  I don't always listen!  I've got a LOT better at making deicisions and courting the best of my life - and am in one of the happiest periods of my life EVER...  It;s been by asking the question: What would I MOST LOVE? Cos I want my life to be something I TOTALLY love and adore... 

    30. Ha! My hubster says that ALL the time » "Surprise Me"!
       
      Love your thought process here regarding letting go vs. making decisions. Interestingly, in the past I used to have a difficult time making decisions and once I learned how to let go … I now find that I naturally move in the right direction.
       
      Now, some of you are reading my words and say "MmHmm!", and others will say "Hmm?" If you're the latter, try letting go and over time you'll see how everything starts to fall into the right place at the right time.
       
      CLB

    31. Ha! My hubster says that ALL the time » "Surprise Me"!
       
      Love your thought process here regarding letting go vs. making decisions. Interestingly, in the past I used to have a difficult time making decisions and once I learned how to let go … I now find that I naturally move in the right direction.
       
      Now, some of you are reading my words and say "MmHmm!", and others will say "Hmm?" If you're the latter, try letting go and over time you'll see how everything starts to fall into the right place at the right time.
       
      CLB

    32. This post made me laugh because it is all about perspective. For you, Randy, it's giving up your control tendencies by saying, "surprise me" for others it may be the fear of making a decision and sticking to the consequences.... This can be prosperity or lack consciousness depending on your personal nature…..

    33. This post made me laugh because it is all about perspective. For you, Randy, it's giving up your control tendencies by saying, "surprise me" for others it may be the fear of making a decision and sticking to the consequences.... This can be prosperity or lack consciousness depending on your personal nature…..

    Leave a Reply to ChristineLBowen Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


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