An Argument In Favor Of Change

Take Pen to Paper: Edition 135

Apr 24, 2025

Hello Readers!

I keep a spreadsheet for my newsletters. Sometimes, it’s up to date. It helps me keep up with topics I’ve covered and avoid repeating myself too often.

I searched for the word "change" and it appeared 44 times. Seven were in titles. Here I am again, thinking and writing about change, which doesn’t seem like much of a change.

In this newsletter:

Change has an element of surprise.
Maintaining the pleasure of surprise in a change.
Choose change.

The Element Of Surprise

Each day that I write in my journal, I use a different fountain pen. Each has a nib that writes a little differently.

I can’t tell you how many times I start writing with a pen and think to myself, “I love the way this writes!” I check to see which one it is. Keep in mind, I just wrote with the same pen a few days ago. I seem to forget how enjoyable the experience was, and it takes using it again to remind me of the pleasure it brought me.

The small change of a different pen each day keeps me on my toes. I never know quite what to expect, and am always pleasantly surprised.

Isn’t this true about the many small changes we experience each day?

The Importance of the Surprise

This past weekend, we ate lunch out. I stayed at the table with my granddaughters while my husband went to order.

When he brought my beverage of choice, water, he surprised me with a Perrier. I’ve had them many times, but in this case, it had been a long time since I had last had one. As I drank it, I thought, “This is so refreshing. Why don’t I drink them more often?

I’m sure you know the answer. Losing the element of surprise in a change also means losing some of the pleasure we get from the change.

Choose To Put Your Playlist on Shuffle

You don’t have to wait for change to happen to reap the benefits that it's surprise.

Just as I set up my journaling routine to write with a different pen every day, you can set yourself up for small changes to bring a little surprise.

Last night, while watching The Sound of Music, it occurred to me that I knew the order of each song. This is a movie I grew up with, and we often played the soundtrack album at home. Oddly, I don’t think it would bother me to have the songs out of order. I would just be pleasantly surprised as each song came on. That’s right! Put the playlist on shuffle!

Find ways to shuffle what fits into your life.

Run errands in a different order.
Put one Perrier in the back of the fridge (when the fridge is empty, surprise!).
Mark your calendar in advance, noting which friend to text (I haven’t talked to them in forever!)
Read a best-selling children’s book instead of an adult book or a classic instead of a contemporary.

If a small change can bring a pleasant surprise, why not plan one?

7 Days, 7 Thoughts on Gratitude and Good:

I pulled out a sampling of my pens for the picture and then realized I didn’t include the least expensive, yet always surprising, Pentel Kakuno. Yes! Each has a smiley face on the nib. What’s not to love about that? 😊
I am grateful to my son for introducing me to a variety of fountain pens and nibs. ✒️
A quote: “When we do or see something new, the novelty center of the brain is activated, triggering the release of dopamine, a chemical rush that makes us feel good and rewarded.” - Katherine Brooks
It’s a good thing to try small changes to discover what pleasantly surprises us.
Studies have shown that mobile music listeners, in particular, like to utilize shuffle, and they are more likely to discover and download new music. 🎧
Read here about how music activates your brain and here about how your favorite songs trigger natural opioids in your brain. 🧠
I’m grateful for the small changes nature provides. There is always a little surprise when I go for a walk.

Thank you for reading. Look for the small changes that pleasantly surprise you.

Until next time,

💚

Susan

What small change do you find pleasantly surprising? Leave a comment and let me know. I would love to hear about it.

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