“Why not seize the pleasure at once? — How often is happiness destroyed by preparation, foolish preparation!”
― Jane Austen, Emma

Spontaneity – the state of being spontaneous (done or said in a natural and often sudden way and without a lot of thought or planning).
– Merriam-Webster Dictionary

For the past several days I have been in Portland Oregon attending the World Domination Summit (#WDS 2014) hosted by the phenomenal Chris Guillebeau. An incredible event filled with informative workshops, effective trainings and inspiring talks by current thought leaders. It is an annual event attended by unconventional and , non-conformist world changers, idealists, entrepreneurs, creative professionals and artists. The core ideals of WDS are Community, Adventure and Service – which happen to comprise of mine as well. Attendees leave the conference inspired, equipped, energized and ready to change their corner of the world. I will write more about this event in later posts.

Thousands of interesting, quirky, wholehearted and fun characters attend this incredibly stimulating event. Among the many characters was the Poem Catcher. Originally from the UK, the poem catcher travels the world with a net (like the butterfly net) asking for poems. Some write poems on the spot. Others find him later with one on which they have spent more time.

I was on a cruise of the Willamette River when he walked by, cheerfully calling out for poems. Feeling inspired, I did something I had never done before. I whipped out my notebook and jotted a few lines and then, went searching for him. I found him chatting with a few new friends. I was just about to quietly slip my poem in his net when he stopped me and told me to read it aloud. Gaping, I stammered, frantically conjuring up an excuse. And then I stopped, smiled and proceeded to read it to my eager audience.

That deciding moment was magical. When I finished reading the poem, he smiled, said he loved it and thanked me. And then he let me drop the poem in his net. I left feeling expansive, inspired and changed.

Apart from minor edits for spelling and the title, here is what I wrote.

The Conformist’s Cry (originally titled “Hollow”)

Taller, taller grow the trees
Greener, greener lies the grass
In another’s yard.

Steeper, steeper the degrees,
Harder, harder coups de grace
play another card.

And the emptiness grows,
The more we acquire
And nobody knows
What they really desire

And there goes the dream
As time passes on
We cry for our dreams
As Time passes on…

As Time passes on…
As Time passes on…

What was it about the act of spontaneity that lit me up? There is a feeling of freedom that follows spontaneity. We sometimes need structure and planning in order to make time for the things we want to do. But sometimes just doing an unplanned activity, on the spur of the moment is liberating, exhilarating and transforming.

Life is fleeting. We never know our last moment. Yet we plan and plan every moment as if we know everything. We always want to be in control. It wasn’t that my poem was groundbreaking or particularly good. It was the fact that I seized the moment. I looked at fear and said, “No, not right now. I choose to be brave. I am going for it” and I did it. I am incredibly grateful for that.

I am also grateful that the Poem Catcher was gracious enough to say he liked it. But I am not sure it would have been particularly painful if he hadn’t said anything. We shared a moment there. He saw me hesitate for a brief moment. He watched me overcome my fear of being judged. I chose to live my ideal by diving right in, even though I could have been humiliated. And he affirmed and supported me in it.

My fears didn’t matter. I chose spontaneity through vulnerability. I allowed my heart to be seen in its imperfection by created a poem from a blank sheet and sharing it. And for that, I was rewarded with a sense of transcendence and connection.

Obviously, the poem wasn’t premeditated. When I whipped out my notebook, I had no idea what I was going to say. But I just did it.

What about you? Are you waiting to be ready for what you really want to do?

Sometimes, It just doesn’t matter whether you are ready or not. Jump! Just do it. And then, see what happens. Let go of those plans once in a while. Planning is good. But sometimes, it is wonderful to let go and jump into the unknown.

I did. And I will never be the same.

Practicing Spontaneity:
1. In what ways are you stuck in a rut?
2. What would it take to clear your agenda, schedule and plans for an hour and do something unexpected?
3. What is holding you back? Can you seize the moment?
4. What activities have you always wanted to do but couldn’t seem to find the time to do?
5. Like Brene Brown says in “Daring Greatly”, “What is worth doing even if you fail?”
6. What is the worst that could happen? Do you have anyone who can support you and hold you accountable as you practice spontaneity?
7. What small step can you take towards spontaneity today?

Spontaneity is a brave act. It means grabbing an idea by the tail and riding it. It could be a joy ride, or not. But you wouldn’t know unless you tried. And sometimes you need support for others to take that brave step. Ask for it. We need each other. Let’s practice spontaneity together, shall we? Take my hand and let’s Jump! Ready? Set? Go!

Yvonne Whitelaw writes for Yvonnewhitelaw.com where she blogs about her quest to grow into her ideals in her “Live Your Ideals Project”. By sharing her lessons along the way (every Monday and Thursday), she hopes to serve and inspire a tribe of wholehearted kindred spirits like you, to “live your ideals, live your calling and change the world.”