Luck / Geluk



“Luck affects everything. Let your hook always be cast; in the stream where you least expect it there will be a fish.”
Ovid

Ovid thought that luck affects everything. Do we really live our lives based on luck and fortune? I do not believe that for one second. Many people believe that if they fail, then it was because of bad luck, and when they succeed, it was because of good luck. There is a Swedish proverb which says that luck never gives, it only lends. This would imply that the luck lent to you will in time be taken away, and logically, you will receive its counterpart, bad luck. Maybe that is why Wilson Mizner was of the opinion that the only sure thing of luck is that it will change. I think at this stage it is safe to say that we all agree that a part of growth comes through leaping into the unknown, which means, taking chances and making decisions, even if they are the wrong ones. The risk of a wrong decision is anyway preferable to the terror of indecision. You have to believe in yourself and make choices and take chances, and when you succeed, then ascribe that to have made a good choice, and not to “good luck”. If, however you fail, then let it go and attempt a new direction. Your achievements and the lack thereof, are not a result of good and bad luck, they are a result of good and bad choices that you have made. Your success is surely not determined by luck… The Roman philosopher, Seneca, said: “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”
You think about that for a moment!

Do you believe that what you achieve in life is a result of luck,
irrespective if this luck is good or bad?
I think that such a belief is truly sad,
So take credit for your achievements and stop passing the buck.

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“Geluk affekteer alles. Werp jou hoeke in die stroom waar jy die minste vis verwag.”
Ovid

Volgens Ovid affekteer geluk alles. Kan ons regtig ons lewens basseer op die basis van geluk en ongeluk? Ek glo dit nie vir een sekonde nie.  Baie mense glo vas dat wanneer hulle misluk in een of ander taak, dit toegeskryf moet word aan slegte geluk… wanneer hulle egter slaag in iets, is dit as gevolg van goeie geluk. Regtig? Daar is ‘n Sweedse gesegde wat lui: Geluk gee nooit, dit leen net. Dit impliseer dat die geluk wat nou aan jou geleen word, een of ander tyd teruggevat gaan word en jy geluk se ander boetie gegee gaan word – ongeluk. Dalk is dit waarom Wilson Mizner van die opinie was dat die enigste ding waarvan jy seker kan wees, as dit by geluk kom, is dat dit sal verander. Ek dink, op hierdie stadium, dat dit veilig is om te sê dat ‘n deel van jou menslike groei behels dat jy in die onbekende induik, m.a.w., om kanse te vat en riskante keuses te maak, selfs al is die keuses verkeerde keuses. Die risiko van verkeerde keuses, sê ek altyd, is veel beter as om geen keuses te maak nie – immers leer en groei mens, en stagneer mens nie. Jy moet altyd in jouself glo, jy moet keuses maak en kanse vat, en wanneer jy in jou pogings slaag of misluk, moet dit dan nie toeskryf aan geluk of ongeluk nie maar eerder aan die maak van goeie (regte) of slegte (verkeerde) keuses. Ek staan vas by my opinie dat jou lewe nie geskoei is op geluk en ongeluk nie. Die Romeinse filosoof, Seneca, sê: “Geluk is wat gebeur wanneer beplanning ‘n geleentheid ontmoet.”
Dink ‘n bietjie hieroor na!

Dink jy dat jou lewensprestasies vanweë geluk is?
Ongeag goeie of slegte geluk.
Nee wat, so ‘n nosie maak dat ek wil verstik…
Lewensprestasies is ‘n produk van oordeel en keuses, weet dit gewis.

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