Free-D

Luck can be lack of control over our constitution, circumstances or simply our personal ignorance regarding some factors that affect our lives. However, according to rationalists it is probability taken personally and believing in luck is a result of poor reasoning and wishful thinking. Since the outcome of any action or reaction can be as a result of consequence, then somebody crossing the road and getting hit by a car can easily be explained or rationalized by keeping all the factors involved in such an accident in mind.

Some believe in changing their lucks by performing rituals and in a way modifying fortune by spirituality to avoid certain circumstances. Yesterday a black cat crossed right in front of me, so I returned home and refused to go outside in case something bad was going to happen. Although, I had to cancel two appointments, I managed to watch my favourite program on TV. Later on while surfing on the cyber highway, I came across Carl Jung’s “Synchronicity”, which he described as “a meaningful coincidence”. I was a bit disappointed for being a superstitious person, yet to certain extent thankful to the little black kitten for making me relax and enjoy a quiet afternoon.

Whether, we want to believe in luck or not, feeling lucky can be the predictor of our level of success and joy in life. Dr. Richard Wiseman, author of the book The Luck Factor, was curious about people who are consistently blessed with good fortune. For eight years he studied 400 people who considered themselves either particularly lucky or unlucky. As a result, he has proved scientifically that luck isn’t a coincidence. Lucky people think and act with specific behaviours that open the way for good things to happen. They expect success, moving beyond the “glass-half-full” power of positive thinking. One way Wiseman measured this, was by asking all 400 subjects to count the number of photographs in a newspaper. In the third page there was a large advertisement that boldly declared, “STOP COUNTING! THERE ARE 43 PHOTOGRAPHS IN THIS NEWSPAPER.” Lucky people noticed, laughed and kept on counting. Further along there was another advertisement that read “STOP COUNTING! TELL THE EXPERIMENTOR YOU’VE SEEN THIS AND WIN 150 POUNDS (Sterling).” Once again, the people who considered themselves lucky consistently noticed the advertisement. In contrast, the ‘unlucky’ ones flipped right past them. What would you have done?

Fortune often emerges from the ashes of a problem. During the acceptance speech for his first of thirteen Grammy awards, Duke Ellington said “I merely took the energy it takes to pout, and wrote some blues.”. Lucky people have automatic psychological techniques to cope and thrive in unfavourable situations. Such people strengthen their intuition by regularly quieting their minds, using practices like meditation, prayer, and eliminating unnecessary conversations. It feeds a relaxed attitude about life that expands resilience and builds momentum for the cycle of good fortune. Besides, it always makes me feel better if somebody wishes me good luck in steps I am about to take. So good luck to you all in anything you are planning to do this beautiful summer.