When I moved in with my boyfriend, about 2 months ago, I decided to play a little “I love you” prank on him. I put a rubber cockroach on the corner of the box spring just underneath the bed skirt on his side of the bed.
I figured that over time the cockroach would fall out while he was adjusting the bed skirt or changing the sheets. He would jump in shock and I would giggle in pranking victory.
Problem is… I forgot it was there.
Then today, while putting fresh sheets on the bed, I had to adjust the bed skirt for the first time since I moved in. I lifted the fabric and there it was…
A two-inch long cockroach!
I screamed. My heart raced. I dropped the mattress and ran out of the room. Then I realized it was the rubber cockroach I had put there to scare my hunni…
I went back and looked just to make sure it was the rubber one. It was, and I could wipe the sweat off my forehead. After the jolt of surprise, I couldn’t stop laughing. The adrenalin and humor made my day.
I think it’s important to acknowledge that sometimes we literally surprise ourselves. Not just with pranks meant for someone else, but also with what we are capable of.
There is more potential inside of each of us than we realize.
As we get closer to a New Year, open yourself up to new challenges. You may discover that you have completely untapped happiness, purpose and enthusiasm for life.
Try new things. Take the road less traveled. Make up new rules for your life that align with joy. Open yourself up to new people. Take the risk of being emotionally vulnerable. Climb a tree. Sing at the top of your lungs in your car. Make your neighbor cookies. Write a love letter. Hug everyone a little bit longer than usual.
All of these serve to get you out of your comfort zone and add some extra zest (post cockroach rolling laughter) to your life. There are always ways to challenge yourself to live more, give more, and love more. And here is a way to challenge yourself to give more and love more of YOU today…
Do something today that may shock future you. Sit down and write out all of the talents, gifts, skills, and attributes that you possess that make you miraculous and unique. Add a few sentences of pure motivation and love. Fold it up, perhaps put it into an envelope, and hide it somewhere. Forget about it. You’ll find it when you least expect it and maybe need it most.
[EDITOR’S Note: Great idea, Michelle! Especially for the New Year.]
Thank you for reading!!
Much Love and BIG smiles,
Michelle Ploog
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Photo (top) by Pascal pasukaru76 (CC license)