The purpose of this thread is to explore the concept of luck. Is it real or imagined? Is it merely superstition or is there any factual basis? Is
luck a perception or a definable phenomenon?
We all seem to know certain people who everything seems to go right for. You know the ones who get the right job, marry the right spouse and always
seem to achieve success with little to no effort. They appear to trip over money bushes. (I’d be less than honest if I didn’t admit that I often
resent those types of people and sometimes jealous since I’m one of “those types” who feel they have to work harder for things. If it wasn’t
for the fact that I like to dunk their toothbrushes in their toilets when I visit I could hardly stand to be around people like that. I‘m kidding,
of course.)
The only way I can cope is to believe that luck is infinite. It is not a zero sum game. If someone else is lucky it doesn’t diminish my chances
of having luck also. Luck might even be related to gratitude since lately I find myself more appreciative of even the little breaks I get.
Here are some seeds for discussion:
Is luck akin to karma?
Is it true you make your own luck?
Does luck run out?
Why do all the lottery winners seem to “deserve” to win? (Probably just savvy marketing by Lottery board officials. If Warren Buffett or Donald
Trump won, I doubt it would inspire ticket sales)
Do trinkets bring good luck? (rabbits feet etc.)
Do events bring bad luck? (breaking mirrors, black cats)
Is religion (praying for things) related to luck?
Funny, even Google offers the “I’m feeling lucky” search option which was basis for thread title. So there ya go.
What are your thoughts?
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The following is optional reading for context on inspiration for this thread.
In 2007 I suffered a near death stroke which left me with permanent side effects. (Balance issues and partial left side paralysis) I walk with a cane
and can only type with one hand. (Caps Lock is my new friend.) Everyone (Doctors, family, friends) all tell me how “lucky” I am to have survived.
Funny, I don’t feel so “lucky.”
More recently, a routine inspection of our house found evidence of termites. Naturally we feared the worst and initially thought our house might
require tenting which is quite costly. (I live in Florida and termites are a major threat. The joke is there are only two kinds of houses that have
termites. Those that have them and those that will.) “Luckily” the infestation was localized and the treatment was less costly.
Perhaps these are both “glass half empty/full” scenarios based on perception but inspiration nonetheless.
edit on 30-12-2010 by kinda kurious because: typos
edit on 30-12-2010 by kinda kurious because: more typos