"Luck be a Lady"

I got an e-mail this evening, a bit after the fact. Someone was giving away tickets to see a show called "Luck be a Lady." I thought it was amusing because I had that song in my head this evening after my husband received a fortune (from a cookie) that said "Luck is the by-product of busting your fanny." I don't think those were the exact words of Confucious, but it's a belief that I hold to be true.

I have had numerous discussions with someone on the topic of luck. They believe that people are born lucky or that good things just fall into peoples' laps. I come from a different school of thought. I believe that when good things happen to someone, they can consider themselves fortunate or blessed. Luck is based on chance and coincidence. Sometimes good timing plays into it. Like someone who misses their plane and avoids being in a crash. That's pure luck on their side.

However, I feel that for something good to happen, there has to be a catalyst. How does one expect to win the lottery if they don't purchase a ticket? How does one expect to get a promotion at work if they don't "bust their fanny" at their job? How does one expect to meet Mr. or Mrs. Right if they don't put themselves into the dating market? I'm not saying that those situations are even guaranteed to happen even if someone tries for the end result. There's just a better chance of such things happening than someone just "magically" winning a million dollars, becoming president of their company or finding Mr. or Mrs. Right on their doorstep.

On the subject of being born lucky, I don't think anyone has come out of their mother's womb holding a four leaf clover. There's the matter of being born into good or poor circumstances. Once you know your circumstances and have control over what could happen next, you have the ability to do or be whatever you want. Take the movie "Precious" for example. Precious was born into a terrible family situation. However, she got an education and found a way to escape from her abusive mother. She could have sat there and taken her mother's abuse and just blamed it on bad luck. I know it's a fictional story, but it does have a basis of truth and it's very empowering. There's also "The Pursuit of Happyness," which is based on a true story. Chris was having a difficult time finding a job and being able to provide for his child. Doors closed in his face and he kept getting kicked when he was down. Still, he "busted his fanny" to get a job so that he could get himself and his son off the streets. It wasn't a matter of luck. It was a matter of blood, sweat and tears, so to speak.

Tonight, I could have been the "lucky" recipient of free tickets to a show, but I got home late because of dinner plans with my family. I missed the opportunity, but it wasn't meant to be. There are other times when my timing has been perfect, such as knowing when to speak aloud about a bowling commitment I had, just as my husband's best friend happened to be standing nearby. I wouldn't call that luck, just good timing. My husband may not have been interested in meeting me or we might not have been each others' type. I could have chosen not to give out my number in the first place (a catalyst). I'm glad none of those situations were the case. I just feel fortunate and very blessed as a result of such savvy timing.

I'd be interested in hearing your opinions about the concept of luck. Are people naturally lucky or do you think they have to do something to make something good happen for them? Discuss....