"I've never done this before."
She was new to the workshop—nervous, comparing herself to others, clearly unsure.
“That’s great,” I said. “You’ll have beginner’s luck!”
She blinked at me. “Why would that be good?”
So I shared a truth I’ve seen time and again:
Beginner’s luck isn’t luck—it’s freedom.
When we’re new, we’re not tangled in expectations or ego. There’s no “I should know this by now,” no performance pressure. It’s a clean slate where heart, humility, curiosity, and soul-led action can thrive.
You aren’t trying to control the outcome. You’re just willing to show up. That’s the magic. That’s the messenger mindset.
I reminded her that ethical awareness matters far more than performance. It’s not about accuracy as much as integrity. As long as you serve with kindness, never harm, and stay honest—even if you feel silly or unsure—you’re already doing something powerful.
And she did. Within a couple of classes, she was radiant, eyes sparkling, voice eager to share. Beginner’s luck had landed.
🖥 Beginner’s Luck in Action: My Website “About Me” Page
When my grandson/webmaster said my About Me page needed updating, I smiled. I’d made websites before, but this time I wanted something fresh—something that reflected who I am now, not just my history.
So I tossed the question to the universe: What would actually share my story… without being boring?
Soon after, I had a vision—three pages of resume moments turned visual storytelling. I gathered photos and wrote reflections. A designer wove it together, and it came alive.
That was beginner’s luck too.
Not because I’d never made a website—but because I let go of the “shoulds” and followed wonder instead.
✏️ Want Beginner’s Luck? Try This
Pick something you feel unsure about—
🎹 Playing piano?
🌿 Talking to plants?
🔮 Exploring intuition?
It doesn’t matter what it is. Choose something that calls you, even if you’re not “ready.”
Here’s a little Beginner’s Luck Ritual to help:
1. The Soft Start
Write this in your journal:
- “What would I try if I promised myself I didn’t have to be good at it?”
- “What’s something I’ve always wanted to explore… in secret?”
- “What’s stopping me—and what’s one small step I could take anyway?”
2. The No-Tell Zone
Keep your new exploration to yourself at first. Let it be private, like planting seeds before the world sees the sprouts. Sometimes protecting your budding passion helps it grow strong.
3. The Wander and Grab
Take a trip to a bookstore or library and let your hands pick something for you (soft eyes required). Trust what draws you. (That’s how I found Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, which accidentally rerouted my life.)
4. Do It Badly
Make a doodle. Try a song. Record a message to yourself from your intuition. Bake the cake that might collapse. That’s where the story begins.
🎨 My Drawing Journey (With a Side of Science and Stubbornness)
Back in 1984, I wanted to learn to draw—though my doodles could barely survive the paper. I wandered into Barnes & Noble with my eyes soft, pretending I was a magnet. Midway through the second aisle, my hand reached out. I picked up Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards. I opened the intro… and saw a name I knew—Dr. Ronald Myerson.
That name? My ex-husband’s boss at the split-brain research lab. Yes, seriously.
I'd learned so much hanging around that lab, it even helped me develop the creative visualizations that led me to walk again after paralysis. So, of course, I bought the book—but didn’t tell a soul.
Three months later, I could draw full scenes. With no lessons. Just joy. The pen and ink drawing at the top of this newsletter? It’s mine.
And now I color them in Procreate on my iPad. I still don’t take lessons. I might someday. But for now—this is my version of beginner’s luck, on repeat.
Do It Anyway (Even If You’re Awkward and Unready)
Beginner’s luck is about showing up without armor.
It’s about risking awkwardness to meet something sacred.
It’s not about getting it right. It’s about getting started.
So here’s your invitation:
Start something without a map.
Protect it like a secret wish.
And then, share it when it glows.
We’re not here to be perfect.
We’re here to be alive.
With love,
💜 Nancy
