By Jane Cooperman , Health and Wellness Coach
Why do some people consistently get what they want, live an exciting life, or seem to have good things happen to them time after time? And why do other people seem to inhabit a black cloud that follows them wherever they go?
That’s what I’m pondering today. I am not the wise guru on top of the mountain with all the answers. I am someone who has lived and is still living a full and rich life, and I hope to do so for many more years. I have read much about energy, intention, and the bountiful universe. But right now, I am looking at this in a slightly more down-to-earth way.
A close friend of mine traveled the world, lived on different continents, had a regular seat on the Concord and hobnobbed with world leaders. He says he has been very fortunate in his life. Another friend has lived in different regions of the US and in the Caribbean, had unusual experiences, and always found the next great thing to be waiting for her. She also said she has been very lucky in her life. Both of these friends consider that their luck was in being in the right place at the right time when opportunities presented themselves.
When I look at my life and consider that I have been very lucky, my above-mentioned close friend says: “You made your own luck.’
You may be lucky, you may make your own luck, or maybe if it weren’t for bad luck, you’d have no luck at all. What I think is this: The difference between Lucky Lady and the Blues Singer is that Lucky Lady is present in her life, notices opportunities when they arrive, and fearlessly takes a chance. (If I may add another cliché, you have to be in it to win it.)
Being present in your life means being mindful, noticing the world around you, and being an observer and a witness, as well as a participant. Otherwise, how will you see opportunities when they come? Life by rote, living on autopilot, means you don’t notice the opportunities, so you don’t take them.
What does “fearlessly takes a chance” mean? Fearlessness does not mean recklessness. It means you experiment and have fun. Sometimes you can fail, but that just means you get another chance to try a different approach. It doesn’t mean you are unlucky. It means you have an opportunity to learn and grow.
My close friend above has lived through an earthquake, a plane crash, and a motorcycle accident. How can that be lucky? He survived all three and gained information about himself and his experiences. What could be luckier than that? The other friend, mentioned above, suffered three close personal losses in a very short time and even felt like she lived through 7 years of bad luck. But she still considers herself extraordinarily lucky and is still experimenting and fearlessly taking chances.
You have a choice in life. I choose to be present in my life, to be mindful every day, and to see the opportunity before me and fearlessly say, “Yes, I’ll try that.”
Jane Cooperman is a Health and Wellness Coach, trained by the Mayo Clinic & Registered Nurse. To learn more, visit her website: janecoopermanwellness.com or call/text her at 201-240-4735.