Danny, I'd love to read your book. I still miss Sectarian Review, but I'm glad you've found your way into fiction and that you are finding joy in that. I've got a half-finished novel gathering dust at the moment and your Substack is an encouragement.
Oh Seth how nice of you to reach out! Please do keep working on the book! I’m genuinely at the point where, even if mine never sees the light of day, I’m still glad I wrote it. It was very good for me, even if no one else ever sees it! But if you want to read it, I’d love to send it to you! Just let me know. And press on, sir! Great to hear from you.
I never gave much thought to these two words which are used interchangeably. This article made me do just that this morning. I have worked hard to get to where I am but believe that luck also opened up opportunities at the right time. I have said that I have been blessed it all worked out, but I also could say that I am lucky it did. What an interesting thought to ponder. Thank you for your writings!
Yes, Danielle, I really don’t want to under-emphasize the role we play in creating the conditions so that we can take advantage of good luck. But I have weird theological reasons to be squishy about “blessed.” :)
😂 Yup. My Irish background won’t let me distinguish between the two. I think the original meaning of blessing is something like (no pun intended) juiciness, which works for me. Agree about that curated version of blessing not really a blessing.
Adrian! I did not know about this! I'm totally going to look into this concept. I think I was initially influenced by the Jewish concept of Mazel, but if what you say about blessings and juiciness is true, I might be convinced to revisit this piece!
Thanks for this link, Adrian. I will try and check it out soon. And yea, I know that people have more than a little to do with their own success. I did keep my nose clean, and I try to be a personable person. That in addition to hard work, of course. I do understand that those things all work together to create the possibility for success when the time comes. But still. Most people who start where I started (my ne’er-do-well-ness) do get the chances. For some reason I did, and I don’t want to take TOOOOO much credit for that. But your point is definitely well-taken!
Danny, I'd love to read your book. I still miss Sectarian Review, but I'm glad you've found your way into fiction and that you are finding joy in that. I've got a half-finished novel gathering dust at the moment and your Substack is an encouragement.
Oh Seth how nice of you to reach out! Please do keep working on the book! I’m genuinely at the point where, even if mine never sees the light of day, I’m still glad I wrote it. It was very good for me, even if no one else ever sees it! But if you want to read it, I’d love to send it to you! Just let me know. And press on, sir! Great to hear from you.
I never gave much thought to these two words which are used interchangeably. This article made me do just that this morning. I have worked hard to get to where I am but believe that luck also opened up opportunities at the right time. I have said that I have been blessed it all worked out, but I also could say that I am lucky it did. What an interesting thought to ponder. Thank you for your writings!
Yes, Danielle, I really don’t want to under-emphasize the role we play in creating the conditions so that we can take advantage of good luck. But I have weird theological reasons to be squishy about “blessed.” :)
😂 Yup. My Irish background won’t let me distinguish between the two. I think the original meaning of blessing is something like (no pun intended) juiciness, which works for me. Agree about that curated version of blessing not really a blessing.
Stay juicy brother
Adrian! I did not know about this! I'm totally going to look into this concept. I think I was initially influenced by the Jewish concept of Mazel, but if what you say about blessings and juiciness is true, I might be convinced to revisit this piece!
I feel the same way about my academic career (which was even more roundabout than yours) -- luck all the way.
Mary, you are a role model for me for sure! I wonder if I absorbed this mindset from you somewhere up the line?
Your reflection made me think of this TED talk by Dr. Tina Seelig on luck:
https://www.ted.com/talks/tina_seelig_the_little_risks_you_can_take_to_increase_your_luck?language=en
I wonder if any of your luck could be attributed to all of the cumulative little things you’ve done throughout your career. What do you think?
Thanks for this link, Adrian. I will try and check it out soon. And yea, I know that people have more than a little to do with their own success. I did keep my nose clean, and I try to be a personable person. That in addition to hard work, of course. I do understand that those things all work together to create the possibility for success when the time comes. But still. Most people who start where I started (my ne’er-do-well-ness) do get the chances. For some reason I did, and I don’t want to take TOOOOO much credit for that. But your point is definitely well-taken!