Are you ever Lucky?

I was talking to my sister this last weekend about Luck -- good and bad.

If you didn't know me better, you might be led to believe I've had a run of bad luck lately. After all, I did just loose my sister to suicide, my brother shipped back off to Iraq, I broke my laptop, forgot to pay my taxes, my car died on me, the new (old) vehicle I bought looses trim every time I wash it, my trash service quit two weeks before I thought they would, and my AC unit caught on fire. And don't even get me started about those shoes! And this in the last month only.

But what you don't realize is that my entire life is that way. Has always been that way. I read a saying once, "Unlucky at cards, Lucky in love." I've accepted it gratefully to explain my entire life.

There are certain things I have accepted as truth; I will never have money, never have all the trimmings others have in their life, and never had a smooth sailing life. It's just not in my cards. (Don't get me started on Karma, me and that bitch need to have words.)

But back to the "Luck" thing. While visiting my sister she was apologizing for my run of bad luck. Everyone does, all the time. I tell her I don't really believe in Luck; good or bad. I mean really, everyone blames Luck for their misfortunes . . . but how often do you hear anyone say, "I'm so lucky!" (And not recant it a few years later at divorce Court.)

If someone is doing well it's their skill, hard work, and dedication. Or Mommy's pocket book. Have you ever heard anyone say:

"Oh, I'm not really qualified for this job. But Bob got caught with the bosses wife and let go unexpectedly. Really, I was just lucky."

"No, I was walking down the street and the guy in front of me dropped his wallet. I grabbed it fast and jumped in the car. Man, it was so full of cash. I am so lucky!"

"Yeah, with my 6th grade education, I never should have been up for the posit on of Executive assistant. But the boss caught me changing clothes in his office. I'm so lucky!"

Doesn't happen, and never will. Luck is an escape goat we assign blame to when life doesn't turn out the way we want. Or when others get things we didn't.

As probably, the most unlucky person you will ever meet, I have some words of wisdom for you.


Don't worry about the things you can't change.

Do not get upset over the small things. If someone didn't die, you don't have a fatal disease, and you haven't been put out on the street; it's probably survivable

Don't be sour over your losses, real or perceived.

Be glad for the things you still have that are not broken, damaged, or stolen.

Always remember that people count; things don't.