Good Luck

1st Century Roman Philosopher Seneca described luck as "What happens when preparation meets opportunity." I have yet to hear a better explanation. Bad luck is what happens to those who are unprepared and watch as opportunities pass them by and more evidently to those who make bad choices. This could not be more obvious but yet many, even many atheists, still believe that when something fortunate happens it is because some positive force in the universe has smiled upon them and worse still, that certain meaningless actions might cause them misfortune. Many still hold superstitions that proclaim certain acts, places, items, dates, times, numbers etc. good luck or bad luck. Broken mirrors, black cats, Friday the 13th, telling a handicap joke, laughing when an old lady trips, cheating on a spouse, etc. Some of these things might make you a jerk but they aren't likely to bring you bad luck. Such superstitious silliness is to be expected from theists but from atheists this adolescent view of the cosmos is rather shocking.

I have seen atheists talk about "jinxing" themselves by speaking of some possibly fortuitous event prior to its happening. I don't mean in that tongue-in-cheek sort of ironic way. I mean seriously. As if they truly believed that they didn't get some job or promotion or date because they spoke of it too early.

I have heard those who profess to having no belief in the supernatural speak of "The Secret" as if they really believed that thinking happy thoughts would attract positive things to them and not in the very understandable way that a positive attitude helps you persevere through adversity or makes you more likable and in that way draws more positive people to you but as if they thought the universe itself would realign itself to provide your fondest wishes if only you believed in it enough. Sounds a lot like religious faith doesn't it?

Anyone who has ever had someone screw them over should know from first hand experience that there is no Karma. Yet I have heard many an avowed unbeliever speak of Karma as if it was a natural law. Anyone who watches the news or has lived at all knows that good shit often happens to some really bad people again and again and again. Your ex-boyfriend or girlfriend who cheated on you will probably not get theirs. They will probably go on to have a great life and cheat on many more people and enjoy the hell out of themselves doing it while you and you alone suffer and lament over your tragic relationship. Where's the Karma?

The kid who bullied you in high school might be on welfare right now or in prison or strung out on drugs somewhere or he might have a great life with a great job and a great family. Karma has nothing to do with it. Your good friend who loves everyone and wouldn't hurt a fly leads a shitty life and your other friend who is just mean and nasty and hurts people's feelings for a laugh is on top of the world. That's life. Just like we tell Xtians, lightning bolts strike churches too. You didn't get passed over for a promotion because you slept with your best friend's lover. You didn't get the job because your boss liked someone else better for it. Period. You didn't trip and fall because you made fun of that handicapped person. You busted your ass because you weren't looking where you were going. Good doesn't just befall the good and bad doesn't just befall the bad. So stop with this Karma silliness. It's unbecoming.

Your lucky shirt, socks, underwear, bracelet, necklace, etc.? Sure you were wearing them when you met your soul mate but you were also wearing them when he or she broke your heart. Sure you were wearing them when you hit that home run but you were also wearing them when you struck out. Sure you were wearing them when you landed that dream job or closed that big deal but you were also wearing them when you got laid off or lost that big client. So wash your damn shirt and throw away those old ass socks. They aren't bringing you luck they're just making you look like an idiot and attracting flies.

You want good luck? Study your craft hard whatever it may be. Be confident and positive and fearless. Be prepared when opportunity comes and leap at it. If and when you miss, pick yourself up, dust yourself off, learn from your mistakes, prepare yourself better next time, and stay alert for the next opportunity and the next and the next. If you fall a hundred times, pick yourself up a hundred times and keep moving forward. That is how success comes. That is how you achieve your desires. Either that or you can wear your lucky drawls and your lucky baseball cap and avoid black cats and broken mirrors and bad karma and wait for the stars to align to make all your dreams come true. Good Luck.