Depends on what one means by “luck.” Daughter came home from Christian school objecting to my use of the word.
If one thinks of some capricious force in the universe (Fortuna) shaping outcomes that affect one, then it is problematic. To the extent that one sees the hand of Providence in outcomes, it is presumably not capricious.
I tend to use the word to refer to random outcomes or outcomes over which I have no control. So I’m not likely to say “luck is with me” or “my luck is about to change.” I don’t see Fortuna or karma as shaping those outcomes. I’m foggy about providence. When God does interfere with outcomes, rather than leaving them to the natural order she has established, I assume it is for some good result, not capricious.
If LeBron can hit buzzer-beating shots from beyond half-court 35% of the time, is it good luck or skill when he does sink one to win a game? What about someone who can only hit 5% of his shots from beyond half-court. Is it a “higher degree” of good luck when he makes one to win the game?
At this point in my life, I couldn’t say for sure. But I’ll give it a yes because I love Mary Chapin Carpenter’s “I Feel Lucky.” LOLOL!!!!!!
I agree with Seneca: Luck is a matter of preparation meeting opportunity.
I also think you gotta look for those opportunities. Can’t just wait around for breaks to come your way. You have to poke around and find them.
Yes, I do believe in luck! I was given notice twice in my life. In both cases on Friday, 13th. In both cases of economic challenges of the respective companies. In both cases, this came out as the best what could happen to me at that time (even if I didn’t think so then). And today I got an offer for an exciting project. Friday, the 13th seems to be lucky for me.
And in any case, we can choose to see it as a lucky day.
Got my first driver’s license on Friday the 13th! Lucky for me, unlucky for the rest of the world:<))
I’m also of the “preparation meets opportunity” school of thought. My son began studying the violin at age 3. At 5, he entered the studio of Klara Berkovich, a Russian violin teacher well known in music circles. She used say that amateurs practice something until they manage to get it right once or twice, and then they rejoice and move on to something else. She always said to her students: “Do you want to go to a competition praying that with luck you will get it right? Professionals practice until they can’t get it wrong.” Of course, not all children have the opportunity to study with such a teacher who knows how to motivate students and create a lifelong love of learning. I’ve discovered that when one ability is fostered to a height in a child, that child learns to utilize a similar structured approach to learn anything new that he desires. Of course, it helps to have the gift of nature, but Klara Berkovich insists that unless children are taught to organize and practice in a way that is goal-oriented, talent will not be realized. I think her advice also applies to writing. Some writers know how to turn a beautiful phrase, but unless they study plot and structure and other essential elements of fiction writing, they won’t get published, generally speaking. (I know there are exceptions.)
That being said, I try not to go around breaking mirrors and such. Who wants seven years of bad luck? *wink*
“Luck” is a relative term. Bad luck always seem to run in 3’s. If things are going poorly for no apparent reason, at least we can focus on the light at the end of the long, dark tunnel. But I also believe we have the ability to create our own good fortune through hard work, perseverance, and persistence.
No. I agree with Eric Beversluis’ daughter, which is to agree more than Seneca than Burt Saxby.
Depends on what one means by “luck.” Daughter came home from Christian school objecting to my use of the word.
If one thinks of some capricious force in the universe (Fortuna) shaping outcomes that affect one, then it is problematic. To the extent that one sees the hand of Providence in outcomes, it is presumably not capricious.
I tend to use the word to refer to random outcomes or outcomes over which I have no control. So I’m not likely to say “luck is with me” or “my luck is about to change.” I don’t see Fortuna or karma as shaping those outcomes. I’m foggy about providence. When God does interfere with outcomes, rather than leaving them to the natural order she has established, I assume it is for some good result, not capricious.
If LeBron can hit buzzer-beating shots from beyond half-court 35% of the time, is it good luck or skill when he does sink one to win a game? What about someone who can only hit 5% of his shots from beyond half-court. Is it a “higher degree” of good luck when he makes one to win the game?
At this point in my life, I couldn’t say for sure. But I’ll give it a yes because I love Mary Chapin Carpenter’s “I Feel Lucky.” LOLOL!!!!!!
I agree with Seneca: Luck is a matter of preparation meeting opportunity.
I also think you gotta look for those opportunities. Can’t just wait around for breaks to come your way. You have to poke around and find them.
Yes, I do believe in luck! I was given notice twice in my life. In both cases on Friday, 13th. In both cases of economic challenges of the respective companies. In both cases, this came out as the best what could happen to me at that time (even if I didn’t think so then). And today I got an offer for an exciting project. Friday, the 13th seems to be lucky for me.
And in any case, we can choose to see it as a lucky day.
Got my first driver’s license on Friday the 13th! Lucky for me, unlucky for the rest of the world:<))
I’m also of the “preparation meets opportunity” school of thought. My son began studying the violin at age 3. At 5, he entered the studio of Klara Berkovich, a Russian violin teacher well known in music circles. She used say that amateurs practice something until they manage to get it right once or twice, and then they rejoice and move on to something else. She always said to her students: “Do you want to go to a competition praying that with luck you will get it right? Professionals practice until they can’t get it wrong.” Of course, not all children have the opportunity to study with such a teacher who knows how to motivate students and create a lifelong love of learning. I’ve discovered that when one ability is fostered to a height in a child, that child learns to utilize a similar structured approach to learn anything new that he desires. Of course, it helps to have the gift of nature, but Klara Berkovich insists that unless children are taught to organize and practice in a way that is goal-oriented, talent will not be realized. I think her advice also applies to writing. Some writers know how to turn a beautiful phrase, but unless they study plot and structure and other essential elements of fiction writing, they won’t get published, generally speaking. (I know there are exceptions.)
That being said, I try not to go around breaking mirrors and such. Who wants seven years of bad luck? *wink*
“Luck” is a relative term. Bad luck always seem to run in 3’s. If things are going poorly for no apparent reason, at least we can focus on the light at the end of the long, dark tunnel. But I also believe we have the ability to create our own good fortune through hard work, perseverance, and persistence.
No. I agree with Eric Beversluis’ daughter, which is to agree more than Seneca than Burt Saxby.