Discovery

Chuck Palahniuk said: “Our real discoveries come from chaos, from going to the place that looks wrong and stupid and foolish.” Ain’t that the truth. Discovery is very much a human endeavor – and one that is generally stumbled upon rather than sought after. Take penicillin for example. In 1928, Alexander Fleming was studying influenza (like the Spanish Flu). A speck of dust contaminated his petri dish – and, voila, penicillin was born. X-rays were an accidental discovery. So was Velcro. The same goes for the microwave. As was Teflon. Crazy, huh.

But the one thing all of these inventions and creations had in common was that a human being endeavored to do something. Endeavored to take a chance on something. Possibly even trying things that were wrong and stupid and foolish.

When I was a kid, one of my Dad’s favorite activities was to jump in the rental car in a new place and just drive around. No map. No directions. No guidance. He would sometimes drive around for two or three hours at a time, turning left or right on a whim. Usually, he would take me along. We had no idea what we’d discover, what we’d run across, what was down this street or that street. We stumbled across local restaurants, interesting shops, and rough neighborhoods. It instilled in me a sense of wonder and delight at new discoveries (new to me, anyway).

For me, discovery and engagement go hand in hand. I have a bit of a “well, let’s give it a shot and see what happens” spirit to me. Some things I’ve tried and failed miserably (did I mention the shoe rack I built for my wife earlier in our marriage?). But what I discovered from that experience is that I had quite a bit to learn about building things. Last summer I built a fence. It came out great.

For discovery to take place, we have to participate in life. We have to take chances. We have to have the courage to try something new – even if we fail miserably. Discovery is part of a growth mindset.

And discovery isn’t only about life-altering inventions and creations like penicillin and X-rays. Sometimes the most beautiful discoveries are the most personal and the simplest – like discovering a new plant, flower, or bird in your backyard, or a new trail or park to walk the dogs.

Go discover!

Until next week.

Andy

(All written content created the old-fashioned way.)