Figuring out ways to be more active than passive can assist in our sense of "luck."

Having a positive mindset, being prepared, and problem-solving are part of creating our destiny.

A dirty lens, rocks in rivers, and flat tires represent relevant metaphors in this domain.

Four-leaf clovers, cracks in the sidewalk, salt over the shoulder, crossed fingers, ladybugs, black cats, sevens, thirteens, or blowing on dice can all evoke different luck-related symbols. Many cultures have stories and superstitions about actions or objects being lucky or unlucky, but the one thing we know for sure is that deliberate, persistent action helps us create our own luck.

Yes, there are random acts of life that occur, from winning a raffle ticket to being the unfortunate victim of someone else running a red light; however, most of life relates to our taking definitive action to create the kind of life towards which we are striving. Even when seemingly lucky or unlucky things occur in our life, how we choose to handle those matters most.

Four metaphors are presented here to highlight key aspects of adopting an active approach to life. When we foster positive mindsets and seize opportunities through consistent effort, we create ways to attract good fortune for ourselves.

Positive Mindset: Cleaning the Lens

How we approach life and our situations matters. If our glasses or camera lens are smudged, the world appears dirty and blurry. But if we clean off the dirt (negativity), the same situation can seem quite different. There may be many reasons why we've developed a pessimistic view, but we can work to change how we approach situations. If we actively look for opportunities, maintain a more positive mindset, and adopt a more "I can" or “I will try” attitude, we approach life in a way that is more effective.

Part of developing this skill often involves cultivating a finer awareness of what we can control and learning to let go of what we cannot. If we focus only on the unfair and negative aspects, we’re more likely to feel upset and unlucky. We can learn to accept the negativity while also looking for opportunities or changes that could bring more positivity into areas where we have influence. For example, we might dislike a strict bureaucratic rule at work, but we’re more likely to succeed by improving how we do our jobs or finding a better situation rather than constantly fighting or complaining about rules we can't change.

The other problem with overfocusing on things outside of our control, like the economy or news, is that our fear/alarm system (the amygdala) fires up, stress hormones (cortisol) flood our body, and our rational brain (prefrontal cortex) goes offline. This then leads to reacting and ruminating more than responding. By coming back to the here-and-now, the breath, and our true area of influence, we can have a calmer, clearer mindset to tackle life events.

Preparation: Carrying Pain Medicine

Carrying pain medicine in our bag or backpack is a small way to be prepared for a potential headache. We may not be experiencing pain when we tuck away some Advil or Tylenol, but we are thinking ahead. Similarly, in life, preparing for potential needs or difficulties enables a focus on a proactive approach. Someone else pulling out a needed item is not lucky; they were able to think ahead, anticipate, and come prepared. They aren’t better or smarter, but they likely had some lived experience that has taught them some valuable lessons.

If we know, for example, that certain situations cause anger or distress, we can develop skills and strategies to use when such circumstances arise. Remembering we are vulnerable to lapse into old habits after certain difficulties helps us to put more personal guardrails in place. Or if we want to make more friends or pursue an interesting new hobby, we can set ourselves up for success by courageously seeking opportunities that could lead to more advancement in those areas. Wishing things were magically better is understandable, but this is not a plan. We can and need to be actively a part of the life we wish to live.

We naturally cannot always be prepared for all situations, as we naturally don’t always know what might be coming ahead, and that is where the next action step of flexibility comes in.

Flexibility: Facing Rocks in the River

A flowing river often has to navigate around a fallen log or a boulder, sometimes temporarily changing course to accommodate the obstruction. When we face a life challenge, we often have to tap into our personal resilience and find flexibility. We have to be like the water.

An obstacle in our way is generally not welcomed, but we do have a choice in how we are going to take the next best step. We may feel unlucky to have had a sudden change in plans be thrust upon us, but it is the flexibility to create work-arounds that actually allows creation of new opportunities.

Being more flexible might sometimes mean a path takes longer, is less ideal, or turns out to be harder to navigate, but this is still onward movement. Staying still or getting stuck on the bank of a river doesn’t allow forward flow.

Strategic Thinking: Managing the Flat Tire

Problem-solving and creativity are also essential for actively persevering in life. Our bicycle or car getting a flat tire is frustrating, but it is rarely personal. Unfortunate and tragic events happen, and this deserves some honoring and validation; however, figuring out next step action is crucial.

We may not like when someone is rude or dismissive, but we can problem-solve how best to use words that might lead to a resolution rather than more conflict. Getting laid off or broken up with causes grief – and forces new routines to be put into place. We may not appreciate getting stuck in traffic or missing a flight, but we can make efforts to be resourceful about new plans that are still safe and satisfactory.

Life presents many puzzles to solve, and humans are skilled in finding infinitely creative solutions. Knowing and trusting we have this capability is an important part of this decisive action step.

Many wise and famous people comment on different aspects of luck, as it seems to be a topic of interest and fascination. In closing, 4 quotes are offered as they seem to connect aptly to the 4 decisive actions presented here related to the topic of creating our own luck:

The notion of a positive mindset is captured in Bruce Springsteen’s quote, "When it comes to luck, make your own."

Being prepared was noted wisely by Oprah Winfrey: "I believe luck is preparation meeting opportunity."

Maintaining flexibility in hardship was likely part of what writer Emily Dickinson meant when she said, "Luck is not chance - it's toil."

And strategic thinking might be well represented by Thomas Jefferson’s quote, "I'm a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it."

Good luck (or should I say, good positive action?) with your life journey!

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