--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When we are looking for the unexpected…" description: "\"“When we are looking for the unexpected, we are not only looking for the unexpected in ourselves, but we are also curious about the unexpected in the b..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8f/erik-pevernagie-688_behavior_when-we-are-looking-for-the-unexpected-w_1440233.jpg" --- # When we are looking for the unexpected, we are not only… ![“When we are looking for the unexpected, we are not only looking for the unexpected in ourselves, but we are also curious about the unexpected in the behavior of the others. So as to know the others, we have got to learn how and where they differ from us. By understanding this, we are able to…” quote by Erik Pevernagie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8f/erik-pevernagie-688_behavior_when-we-are-looking-for-the-unexpected-w_1440233.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8f/erik-pevernagie-688_behavior_when-we-are-looking-for-the-unexpected-w_1440233.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8f/erik-pevernagie-688_behavior_when-we-are-looking-for-the-unexpected-w_1440233.jpg) > ““When we are looking for the unexpected, we are not only looking for the unexpected in ourselves, but we are also curious about the unexpected in the behavior of the others. So as to know the others, we have got to learn how and where they differ from us. By understanding this, we are able to establish an uplifting link with otherness. ( "Looking for the unexpected" )”” [Erik Pevernagie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-pevernagie/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Seeking the unexpected in ourselves and others fosters curiosity, empathy, and deeper connections across differences. **In simple terms:** Explore the unexpected to connect with others. Key Takeaway Cultivate curiosity about differences. Themes curiosity empathy otherness Mood thoughtful open‑minded Type reflective inspirational When to use this quote - team building - cross‑cultural communication - creative brainstorming - conflict resolution Key Concepts psychology social cognition Questions to Reflect On - What unexpected traits have you discovered in others? - How does curiosity change your view of conflict? A Different Perspective Focusing on the unexpected can lead to over‑analysis and anxiety. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Behavior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behavior/) [Curious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/curious/) [Curious Unexpected](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/curious-unexpected-5151644/) [Differ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/differ/) [Establish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/establish/) [Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits/) [How](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/how/) [Know](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/know/) [Learn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learn/) [Link](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/link/) [Looking for](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/looking-for-111012/) [Looking Unexpected](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/looking-unexpected-3325139/) [Otherness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/otherness/) [Otherness Looking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/otherness-looking-5151643/) [Others](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/others/) [Understanding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understanding/) [Unexpected](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unexpected/) [Unexpected Curious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unexpected-curious-5151645/) [Uplifting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/uplifting/) [Where](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/where/) ## Related quotes > [Sometimes I just wish people would open their eyes and see that everything they are looking for is right in front of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryaj-ablando-catayas/sometimes-i-just-wish-people-would-open-their-eyes-and-see-that/) [Ryaj Ablando Catayas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryaj-ablando-catayas/) > [“I’m looking for you into that silver spoon where I taste my reflection to feel the touch of your untouchables - from the poem…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/munia-khan/i-m-looking-for-you-into-that-silver-spoon-where-i-taste-my/) [Munia Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/munia-khan/) > [It often seems, looking back, that the unexpected comes to define us, the paths we didn't see coming and may have wandered down by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-quindlen/it-often-seems-looking-back-that-the-unexpected-comes-to-define-us/) [Anna Quindlen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-quindlen/) > [Creativity comes from looking for the unexpected and stepping outside your own experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masaru-ibuka/creativity-comes-from-looking-for-the-unexpected-and-stepping-outside/) [Masaru Ibuka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masaru-ibuka/) > [I'm looking for the unexpected. 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Neither has a birth certificate. How do they differ? God does not think he's Obama.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/what-do-obama-and-god-have-in-common-neither-has-a-birth-certificate/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [Reasonable people can differ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/proverb/reasonable-people-can-differ/) [Proverb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/proverb/) ## More by Erik Pevernagie > [“Let us not subside into a single mandatory way of thinking or feeling, immersed by a spirit of self-gratification. But let’s dig into the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-pevernagie/let-us-not-subside-into-a-single-mandatory-way-of-thinking-or-feeling/) [Erik Pevernagie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-pevernagie/) > [“The world can spare psychopathic masterminds of fear, pushing the panic button all along. 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We are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-thomas/we-are-endowed-with-genes-which-code-out-our-reaction-to-beavers-and/) [Lewis Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-thomas/) > [The number of poor, and poorly prepared, students who succeed in college and beyond undercuts the simplistic notion that economic or educational disadvantage is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roland-merullo/the-number-of-poor-and-poorly-prepared-students-who-succeed-in/) [Roland Merullo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roland-merullo/) > [To behave creatively in art means behavior with skill; and skill comes from discipline, not derangement. The artist who knows the rules -and proportion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/burne-hogarth/to-behave-creatively-in-art-means-behavior-with-skill-and-skill-comes/) [Burne Hogarth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/burne-hogarth/) > [You don't put milk in chamomile tea - that's disgusting behavior! 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Our judges aren't paid so much a case. We keep them pretty well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/if-you-want-good-behavior-don-t-pay-on-a-commission-basis-our-judges/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) [Browse all 4,218 Behavior quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behavior/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“When we are looking for the unexpected, we are not only looking for the unexpected in ourselves, but we are also curious about the unexpected in the behavior of the others. So as to know the others, we have got to learn how and where they differ from us. By understanding this, we are able to establish an uplifting link with otherness. 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