Monday, June 15, 2009

Lucky Duck, That's Me!

Lucky me! I won this fabulous watermelon quilt from Wendy. I am using it as a table-topper. I love the summery colors; the quilt lifts my spirits just to look at it!

I learned something important the summer after I graduated from High School. I learned it on a trip to Disney. In the van, as we were driving, I was chatting with a professional social worker about my career plans. She shared this lesson on LUCK with me, and it's a lesson that has positively impacted my life. It is this: Luck = Opportunity + Preparedness. In other words, we can shape our luck. I am a believer and a practitioner of this philosophy.

I am a lucky person, and I'm grateful. Certainly, some of it is chance. However, other parts of luck are because I was prepared when the opportunity came around. Case in point: I won the gorgeous watermelon quilt in the Sew, Mama, Sew! giveaway day. (Thank you, Wendy!) The chance part was that my name was drawn. But if we look at the formula above, it works like this: Luck (winning the quilt) = Opportunity (Sew, Mama, Sew giveaway day) + Preparedness (I was prepared for this event! I blocked my lunch hour, a week in advance, so I would have the free time. On the day of, I spent the hour browsing blogs and entering my name. It would have been easy to miss this opportunity if I hadn't prepared in advance for it.) So while I have been blessed by the Fates, you can also see that my own action played into this. Luck = Opportunity + Preparedness.

Where can you shape your luck today?

12 comments:

parTea lady said...

Congrats on winning the beautiful watermelon quilt. It looks nice as a table topper.

I prefer to call it fortuity when such things happen to me. You are definitely right about playing a part in it by your own preparedness, work, etc.

Marilyn Miller said...

The quilt is so pretty and fun. What a creative idea.

Your mentor that day was very wise in teaching you about being prepared. What great lessons to learn at a young age. It sometimes takes people their whole lives and they still don't learn those lessons. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Rosemary said...

Your excitement and enthusiasm shine throughout this post! Congrats Steph!
Nancy

Comfrey Cottages said...

wow! congratulations steph! very cool! i like your formula and thoughts. i guess it falls in line with my telling myself first thing every morning that i am in charge of my day and i am going to make it a good day! and then i prepare things so it will be. like gathering interesting things up to share with the grands and getting up a bit early so i can do all the things i need to do around my own house so i don't come home after minding the kids, to a messy house!:) cool post! thanks for sharing! hugs :)

Wendy said...

Oh Steph, it looks super!

Amy said...

I think a lot of it is attitude too. People who can smile and make the best of any situation--might see themselves as lucky. Always be a glass is half full kind of gal and you are already 80 percent there.

Case in point--my friend Scott came home last evening to a house broken into, trampled upon and smelling of smoke. When he discovered it was caused by fireman putting out a fire he said, "I was lucky. I could have been much worse. Thank (God, Gods, the Goddess take your pick.) Lucky, Lucky, Lucky

I am lucky I know you!

Esme

Teresa's New Life said...

The quilt is VERY lovely. It will also make a nice Christmas tree skirt.
Great giveaway.

sweetcakes said...

Yes you are very lucky....And I feel very fortunate to count you as one of my dear friends.

Relyn Lawson said...

I saw you on Marilyn's blog and had to stop by and tell you how much I like your photo. You look wonderful in that hat. I thought to myself, "I've got to find out more about anyone who would wear such an awesome hat."

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful watermelon quilt. And cogratulations on your "luck"!

kimberly said...

YOU W O N this!!!? You are a very lucky duck!!! It's absolutely stunning!

mep said...

I love the idea of shaping your luck! Very wise!