Originally posted on 24 June 2017 via TinyLetter.

Happy Summer!

Welcome to the official start of summer. In San Francisco, we have been experiencing warmer-than-usual temperatures, so there have been many impromptu picnics, hikes, barbecues and ice cream consumption. The whole city has been unpredicting the sun without realizing it! 

My unpredict this past week was visiting a beached blue whale with my friend (and scientist) Cori! 

It was a fascinating, multi-sensory experience. We approached the whale from the south and walked along the water.

I didn’t fully realize how large the whale was until I was within a few meters and saw the scientists working to retrieve samples. In the next three pictures you can see just how massive the blue whale is! They are cutting off the flipper using knives, stubbornness, strength and teamwork.

Cori and I were elated by the experience and bonding over seeing a BLUE WHALE while having a picnic close by.

How did this unpredict unfold?

Some people have asked about the process of creating a planned unplanned experience. It sounds like an oxymoron! In some ways, yes, but for my whale adventure, Cori and I had already planned to spend a couple hours enjoying the warmer-than-usual weather by the ocean. The night before our picnic, she texted me to ask if I would be interested in visiting a beached blue whale on a different beach. I texted back “More than interested! This is an unpredict! I’m in.” 

In my mind, unpredict is the process of creating an intentional unplanned experience. It allows me to ask, “ What could I do differently?” — and this idea prepares me to say yes to opportunities and offers such as “Wanna go see a beached blue whale?”. The moment I say yes, I’ve stepped into the practice of creating possibilities for myself — to see something unique, or connect with a friend, or learn something fascinating — and this occurs within the structure of my existing life.

Has the idea of unpredict allowed you to try something different? I’d love to hear about it!

xoMo