An interesting notion.  I was reading a friend’s blog post and had the realization: Miracles don’t come from anything we “know.”  Just the opposite in fact.  You can’t plan a miracle, nor can you know how they will happen.  Miracles come from the unknown, many times literally from nothing – that’s why they’re miracles!

Beginner’s luck is a phenomenon, and demonstrates this perfectly.  Many times, the beginner comes from “not having to know” and therefore has no pressure to perform in a certain way.  The beginner is in the fortunate position of being free from all expectations and traps inherent in being a professional.  This freedom allows for miracles to happen, or “beginner’s luck.”

When we think we know, we limit what’s possible.

• We wouldn’t try a new way because we already think we know how.
• Creativity is severely limited and/or blocked.
• New things wouldn’t be created.
• Sometimes incredible discoveries happen from so called mistakes.

Where can you create an unexpected result just by trying something other than what you think you already know?  Just by going for it?  Visiting a different culture demonstrates this point.  When visiting a foreign land, you realize very quickly what you think you know about life doesn’t apply.  It also allows for you to try new things without expectation!

Here’s what inspired me into writing this chapter:

A fellow blogger decided she wanted to grab a quick photo of her cat using a setting on her camera she wouldn’t normally use, a setting so low that it sometimes requires a tripod.  She reasoned she didn’t have enough time to change the setting for fear of missing the opportunity.  Normally, she wrote,

I wouldn’t even attempt the shot but lately, I’m getting to a place that says ….  No!  At the very least I will try!”

How true.  She was determined to get the photo and didn’t let what she thought she knew about photography get in her way – she had to try.  This effort produced a stunning photo of her cat through a window.  The shot also captured her reflection.

It’s amazing how things like this happen – As she wrote, normally a photographer probably wouldn’t “think” to shoot a cat at that slow of a setting but with no time to switch the settings – a miracle occurred!!  Her daring made room for a new possibility.

It’s exciting and makes more of a case for getting out of the box by realizing we’d be better off operating like we really don’t know anything. I once heard a minister say:

How do you know that groove you’re in isn’t really a rut?

He received lots of laughter because everyone could relate!  Have a look into your life: are there any grooves that have become ruts? What situation can you approach with a fresh look?

I invite you to check out Amy’s brilliant photo of Rusty! Amy’s Blog Post!