Beginner’s Allowing

On a friend’s invitation, I signed up for a deep-sea fishing expedition off the shores of Corpus Christi, Texas prior to returning for my sophomore year in college.

Far into the murky waters of the Gulf, I discovered we were booked on a commercial charter with professionals. I knew nothing about the intricacies and best practices required for this kind of fishing. The dozen skilled fishermen began perching themselves circularly along the railings and casting their lines. My friend and I mimicked their preparation and cast our lines as well.

Within a matter of minutes, a hard jolt started pulling my nylon cord. Gripping the handle, I begin to pull and buck the line to gain control but the weight on the other end felt enormous.

Grunting and gasping out, “Excuse me,” I started frantically crawling over and under the rest of the fishermen that encircled the deck as the catch began zigzagging around the circumference of the boat.

On the sixth revolution around, several sympathizers gathered beside me with a net and a bunch of extra hands, offering assistance in raising my catch out of the water.

There it was, the results of my efforts – a 47lb King Mackerel.

Some high-fived me, saying “Congratulations,” but the majority of those men simply gave me the hard stare, muttering under their breaths, “Beginner’s luck.”

Is it beginner’s luck or is it beginner’s allowing?

As beginner’s in anything, we haven’t yet developed our muscles of cynicism or the resistance that comes after disappointment. There can be optimism in the mystery – a child-like clean slate of acceptance where all kinds of possibilities are free to appear. As a beginner we are in a much greater state of natural allowing. Consciousness responds to that, creating demonstration the way it always can be – swift and yes, natural.

After trying new things, many plant seeds of futility based on their history of disappointments. How do we retain optimism and a sense of allowing – allowing without the attachment of futile conditions? That state of purity still exists within each of us and patiently waits for recognition.