It is a spectacle to note that interruptions can convert themselves into opportunities in order to experience wonder. It is often witnessed that they can spark our creativity and inventiveness in the most unexpected ways.
Interruptions may often consume a significant amount of our time, space, and energy at work and home. We must learn, assimilate, and imbibe to overcome a plethora of interruptions right from all the online notifications popping up to all the people calling unexpectedly in order to stay focused and productive. However, please not all interruptions impact us negatively. Some interruptions are certainly positive, because they can lead us to awe-inspiring and magnificent adventures. Therefore, it is advisable that rather than compulsively trying to avoid all interruptions, we can turn some of them into opportunities to experience wonder.
Please note that positive interruptions which people do perceive to be meaningful, relevant, and worthy of their time are often associated with excitement, exhilaration and happiness. It is absolutely possible for interruptions to positively affect people’s creativity. All of those outcomes can promote the ‘awe’ factor. Certain interruptions do go even a step further by helping us encounter wonder directly.
By choosing to see interruptions as a way of potential opportunities (rather than as inconveniences), we do notice more of the wonder that comes into our lives unexpectedly and surprisingly.
There is a far greater purpose to our time than simply being productive. Let us look at it in this way: when we choose to view our time through the lens of faith, we can see that we are all part of a story that is greater than ourselves which is connected to God and each other. Now what is even more intriguing is that each one of us has an important and influential part to play in that story.
An interruption may be an opportunity for us to do something we are meant to do (even though we did not plan for the same). By approaching interruptions with a come what may willingness to say ‘yes’ propagating towards the experiences that are greater than ourselves, we come to discover wonder.
Some interruptions are definitely only stressful and demanding burdens on our time, space and energy. However, other interruptions can lead us to transcendent, above physical and beyond normal experiences that expand our perspective and fill our souls with wonder. The next time you are interrupted by something that seems to be worth your time, do dare to explore the several possibilities of that interruption. Consider how you may be able to turn it into an opportunity in order to experience the very wonder.
Trishna Patnaik is an art therapist and healer. She works with clients on a one-to-one basis in Mumbai.