Good Luck With That

“Good luck is often with the man who doesn’t include it in his plans.”

Anonymous

Happy Monday! 

As luck would have it (lol), yesterday was St. Patrick’s Day, and it was glorious here in SoCal! Clear and sunny, with a light breeze, it was the perfect prelude to Spring, which begins tomorrow. I hope those of you who are local had a chance to get out and smell the shamrocks, and those in other time zones were equally blessed!

Sometimes, I struggle with the concept of luck. We can make our own luck if we pay attention to what’s happening around us and are quick to take advantage of opportunities. However, I also think we can tarnish our fortune when we react with unnecessary fear and hesitate to find the courage to do difficult things. We can actually get into some pretty unsavory habits if we allow fear to become our default and don’t resist pushing through adversity. Holding out for good luck seldom works to our benefit.

I don’t know about you, but occasionally, I make decisions based on the information I have, only to discover later that I really didn’t have everything I needed for a favorable outcome. It’s funny how other people see the flaws in my choices, but let me proceed anyway. My girls’ favorite comment to me is Good luck with that, Mom. That should be my cue to rethink a particular action, but alas, I often neglect to heed their words.

Following is an anonymous quote that I found interesting:

What I appreciate about this quote is that the author leaves room for luck but doesn’t count on it. The assumption is that luck might just find us when we plan, work hard, and make space for possibilities. It may appear random, but our luck often results from tireless work done with intention and calculated risk. I like the odds better than the wishful thinking that luck might come my way.

Following are some others’ thoughts on luck:

“Diligence is the mother of good luck.” Benjamin Franklin

“Remember that sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck.” Dalai Lama XIV

“I have no luck anymore. But who knows? Maybe today. Every day is a new day. It is better to be lucky. But I would rather be exact. Then, when luck comes, you are ready.” Ernest Hemingway

“But God’s not finished. He’s waiting around to be gracious to you. He’s gathering strength to show mercy to you. God takes the time to do everything right ~ everything. Those who wait around for him are the lucky ones.” Isaiah 30:18 (NIV)

“Luck? I don’t know anything about luck. I’ve never banked on it, and I’m afraid of people who do. Luck to me is something else: Hard work–and realizing what opportunity is and what isn’t.”  Lucille Ball

“Count yourself lucky, how happy you must be ~ you get a fresh start, your slate’s wiped clean.”  Psalm 32:1 (NIV)

“Luck is believing you’re lucky.” Tennessee Williams

As luck would have it . . . the luck of the draw . . . beginner’s luck . . . good luck with that . . . so many iterations of the word, yet it still depends on how we invest our time and energy that determines our fortune. And, when we add some focused prayer, everything may change for the better.

This week, take some time to be curious about your luck. I’ll bet your victories are not really luck at all!

Be Well & Be Blessed!

Lucinda