Elizabeth Gilbert criticizing Philip Roth on saying writing is difficult from Brain Pickings:
If you’re lucky, you might be able to make a small living out of this thing. If you’re exceedingly lucky, other people might come to appreciate your gifts. If you are phenomenally lucky, you might become lionized in your own lifetime, like the great Philip Roth himself.What would you consider lucky? As a child I was never allowed to say lucky, only blessed. I like the idea that it's not just chance hitting us with a lucky stick, but we were given or we worked for that raise, achievement, spouse, friend, etc.
Above are Virginia's lucky earrings. She wears them when she needs that extra push, that smidgen of "I have confidence in sunshine" mentality. I've never had a lucky t-shirt, pair of underwear or anything.
What does luck mean to you? Do you think, real or not, that it helps you achieve what you want?
I love that outlook...I do think that in times of my life, yes, I have been lucky. But now after reading I feel more blessed to have had my experiences, rather than sheer luck. :) I do believe in my lucky bra, though!!!
ReplyDeleteI have a lucky pair of super warm socks I would always wear to warm up in before a dance audition. As far as luck and being blessed go, I think alot opportunities happen when you are prepared and are mentally strong enough to take advantage of them. I've had alot of opportunities come my way but have only recently gotten over certain insecurities that held me back in the past. great topic.
ReplyDeleteI think sometimes, having something to call "lucky", makes us feel like we can conquer anything- because we aren't doing it "alone".
ReplyDeleteI am in the same boat- growing up, we were definitely told that luck wasn't a real thing basically. Because technically, luck doesn't involved God. And God is involved in everything.
So, in short (or long, ha) I don't have anything that I call lucky. You accomplish things with confidence & Faith that you can do it.
Bam! :)
Love,
Manda from Eat Cake
my husband and I actually have long late-night conversations about this topic.
ReplyDeleteits something you think about a lot when you're aspiring to live a truly great and beautiful life.
People who have money to have beautiful homes, and time and money to travel beautiful places, as well as have cute kids whom they can raise well and give an excellent education... its tempting to wonder, is that really possible for me? or were they just lucky?
When you're single you can imagine achieving all of the above without the necessity of making money... when you're raising a family, you realize its impossible to do without some wealth!
I think there ARE "fortunate" people out there who got lucky and inherited or came into wealth and a beautiful life without having to work hard for it. But I believe that the majority of people who are living the kind of life I aspire to - the kind of life that you can experience all that is true, good and beautiful in the world... that you can live well and still be generous toward others... (this to me is very different from the "American dream" which involves a McMansion and just keeping up with the Joneses)...
many of these people will tell you, "I worked so hard for this. I am here because I made it happen."
That's what gives me hope ;)
If we stop & think about our lives, there are always good things that we have gotten, even when we didn't deserve them or do anything specific to get them. To me, it is about the grace God lavishes upon us, which is so much better than "luck"!
ReplyDeleteMy aunt, who actually passed away last week after years of battling cancer, used to say, "There is always someone worse off than me." That is the most beautiful attitude... to be so focused on the blessings of life, even in the midst of great pain & to be thankful no matter what! I want to strive to be more like that. :)
Yes it definitely feels right to have it called blessed than lucky. Got nice point in that. :D Got my eye on your next posts.
ReplyDeletei use the word "lucky" a lot. but i like the idea of saying "blessed" instead. so many interesting thoughts here in the comments - lots to think about!
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