“…Did you know they have performed studies? Tests? Surveys and scientific trials into the idea of luck, into the phenomenon of good fortune? Of course they have. They are trying to answer why some people enjoy endless, seemingly effortless heaps of happy fortuitousness and serendipity, while others – do you know anyone like this? – are in a state of near constant, ass-clenched frustration because the world refuses to obey their narrow and twitchy expectations, and therefore they are always sick, broken, late, damaged, loveless and lost, and nothing good or happy or fortunate ever seems to happen to them. Don’t believe it? Just ask them…
It’s a dead-simple thing, really: Luck is a choice. Luck is a modality, a way of operating, a thing you can switch on in an instant and then enjoy its throb and heat and pulse forever and ever until you die, like a cosmic rabbit vibrator for your soul…
“Unlucky people are generally more tense than lucky people and this anxiety disrupts their ability to notice the unexpected. As a result, they miss opportunities because they are too focused on looking for something else. Lucky people, on the other hand, are more relaxed and open, which means they see what is there.”
See? Obvious. But there’s a catch: Despite its simplicity, it’s not at all easy to change modes and switch that luck energy on. After all, misery is addictive. Millions of people are deeply attached to their suffering, their haphazard convictions, their inability to see how their own nervous monofocus and attachment to particular goals or obsessive desires might be blocking out all manner of opportunity right here and now, in the white-hot immediate moment.
It’s true. To be lucky, in short, is to be open, adaptive, flexible, receptive to the new, relaxed and awake, so you can see the opportunities when they arrive and then act on them without hesitation, doubt or fear, which is pretty much the exact opposite of the operational mode of all those unhappy, anxious humans we all know and love and never, ever vote for.
Wait. Be not mistaken. There is no lighthearted panacea here. Fluffy maxims like “be more present” and “notice the opportunities around you” may flit around happily in this realm, but the truth is, opening yourself to deep reality and defeating endless anxiety and dread is, for many, furiously difficult. Requires practice. Dedication. Time. Years. Lifetimes. Particularly when faced with the biggest cosmic paradox of all: luck likes you best when you’re looking for it the least. How utterly fortunate is that?”
~ Mark Morford, excerpts from How to Get Lucky
Image Credit: Anna Luyten by Stephan Vanfleteren
Paradox at 4:40 – I need to read this again – with coffee.
There’s still time. For all of us.
“…in a state of near constant, ass-clenched frustration…” Yup, I know a couple of people like that. They spend so much time bemoaning their ill fate and the crappy hand that life has dealt them that they don’t have a minute to notice anything good around them. Sad, and frankly incredibly frustrating to watch. This is intriguing, David. Gotta ponder a little more…
Yes, I know several that fit the a**-clenched definition. Hopefully they see the light. Your comment reminds me of this quote Lori:
“You are not broken – a bit fractured. I can see light through your cracks.” (c.s.)
Love that–very evocative and oh so true….
‘a cosmic rabbit vibrator for your soul’ – sums it up so well. you have to be open to it, welcome it in, and enjoy the ride.
Yes. Love that evocative turn of words…
I have found this to be true
And I’m still finding this to be true…
Oh, this is good,,,,,,but I’m with Mimi, another review after some coffee.
🙂
I. Love. This. And it’s absolutely true that it takes hard work, constant vigilance against the ass-clenching, and reminders to look up and out. But it can be learned.
Yes, me too. This resonated with me…
“Millions of people are deeply attached to their suffering…” That seems to be true, so many people seem to enjoy their misery. I believe there is so much truth to simply letting the expectations go, to being open to life’s possibilities, and to allowing the good to find you. It’s kind of like seeing the glass half empty or half full. Positive people enjoy life more and what others may see as hardships, a positive person might see as opportunity. How we look at life makes all the difference.
It is true Carol (How we look at life makes all the difference). Like:
“People generally see what they look for, and hear what they listen for.”
– Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird
Yes… 🙂
This is a good one and worth sharing for change management . Thanks for sharing
Yes, very applicable for that purpose Bim
Absolutely true. Glass half empty or half full… only we can determine where we want to be. I also agree with Bim.
Yes Peggy. Agree fully.
Brilliant!
It is Vicki
Excellent post David! So spot on. I love your explanation and I love the quote; “Unlucky people are generally more tense than lucky people and this anxiety disrupts their ability to notice the unexpected. As a result, they miss opportunities because they are too focused on looking for something else. Lucky people, on the other hand, are more relaxed and open, which means they see what is there.” Thank YOU!!
Faced with the biggest cosmic paradox of all…how fortunate is that? How would a lucky person answer that?