When have I surprised myself?

Today my reflection question at the beginning of Genocide Studies class was "When have you surprised yourself?" Yesterday I surprised myself with my thoughtlessness. I left my ID and ticket at airport security and remembered them in a moment of panic after buying lunch by my gate. In that panic I thought I had also left my roller bag, which of course I had had all along! On my flight home, I was feeling really down on myself, and I made myself do the thought exercise I make students do when they meanly tease each other -- five nice things to the person to whom one has given a hard time. This is rooted in brain science I heard a few years ago about how it takes five positive things for one to recover for each negative experience they encounter. In honor of my feeling disappointed in myself, I came up with five things about which I am proud of myself. Here is what I came up with:

• I answer the call I feel to the margins
• I am committed to justice
• I love actively and unconditionally
• I live a spiritually grounded life
• I cultivate joy