Planned Randomness

If you’re the type of person that’s interested in pursuing something because you really want it, something you can do is practice flexibility. Sometimes, being too “set in our ways” can prevent us from moving in the direction we want to be going in. 

One way to practice is to include randomness in your habits from time to time. 

There are 2 kinds of randomness. Planned and unplanned. Well, there are probably more because well, random.

Unplanned randomness is following your intuition. For example, if you get an idea in your head that you must look for a piece of folk art that you know you have in storage somewhere, and you follow it. Even though you’re in the middle of washing your dishes. Even though doing it will accomplish nothing. (This example could also be used to describe creativity.)

Planned randomness is  “interrupting your regularly scheduled programming” with the intention of doing something different from the way you usually do it, like planning an event you want to experience, even though  it will take effort and sacrifice.

Here’s an idea for you if planned randomness is something you would like to try, or if you’re already doing. 

 If you don’t have anything going on (other than sleep) from 2:00am - 3:30am on the morning of August 13, the peak of the Perseid meteor shower is happening in a sky near you. You’ll know you’ve found the celestial rainfall when you see what looks like a dimmer version of a shooting stars flying through the sky. 

This annual event seems to be consistent and reliable. I’ve watched the showers three times from three different locations (Thunder Bay, ON/Baudette, MN/Rainy River, ON) , and have been wowed every time. I’ve seen meteors showering at a rate of about 5 every minute in the best year, and one every 5 minutes in the worst year. 

I almost gave up the last time I went out, after not seeing any falling fire balls after 15 minutes. But, my waiting paid off and I found the area in the sky where the meteors were blasting. Luckily I had a Big Chunk Kit Kat and an icy cold Diet Coke to keep me entertained while I strained to look up at the night sky. 

I highly recommend a lounging lawn chair so you don’t have a stiff neck the week following the event. The only thing that can mess this up are clouds and the smoke. But please don’t rely on the weather forecast to prevent you from setting your alarm for 1:45. Gosh knows that’s a total crap shoot!

This year will be exceptional because the showers are happening at the same time as the New Moon, meaning there won’t be any moonlight. The darker the night sky, the better.  The number of satellites moving across the sky might surprise you too. 

If you reside in a place polluted by night light, consider tenting, renting or camping at Camp of the Woods. The end of the dock seems to offer the most expansive view of the sky. Just remember where you’re sitting!