I was once told I was lucky to have my wife. The comment bothered me, and it took about a week to understand why.
My efforts are not based on luck. My success in controlling my emotions and speaking clearly, even in the most trying times, is not determined by the whims of the Gods. My wife does not respect me because Lady Luck has whispered in her ear. My wife’s love for me will not magically change tomorrow, and ignore my actions and efforts.
My life has been built, brick by brick, by my efforts and virtue. To call it luck is to rob me of the rational pride I feel at what I have accomplished.
Why Weak Individuals Have To Call It Luck
It is always easier to blame external forces or systems than to acknowledge your own shortcomings and inadequacies. Then, work at resolving those shortcomings.
Weak individuals, from incels who can’t find a girl to socialists who despise their betters, need to provide a rationale for their lack of success.
If you want a great life, you have to work hard. Weak individuals refuse to work hard. Thus, they think greatness is simply the byproduct of something outside of the individual’s efforts.
There Are Some Elements Outside of Our Control
To be fair, there are some elements in life outside of our control that we can categorize as truly “luck.”
For example, being born in the modern world with its technology, medical advancements, and opportunities is lucky indeed. I prefer to be in this period than any other, and my being born at this time has nothing to do with my actions.
However, there are some aspects of life that we believe to be based on luck but are still dependent on the individual's actions.
Let me provide a simple example.
Meeting My Wife
I met my wife at college. I had entered her dorm room to greet her roommate (who I knew). I noticed Ayn Rand on my wife’s bookshelf, and we talked about it. From there, the relationship grew to where it is now.
Was meeting my wife “lucky”? Not really. I had to work hard to go to a liberal arts school. I had to be charismatic enough to meet new people and explore the campus. I also had to read and understand Ayn Rand, see the value in her words, and confidently express that value to others.
If any of these elements were missing, I wouldn’t have met my wife and convinced her to marry me.
If I didn’t read Ayn Rand and absorb the values from this great author? Then, I don’t have a philosophical foundation to prove to my wife that I am a good man. If I didn’t work hard to gain college admission? Then, I couldn’t meet my wife. If I wasn’t brave, charismatic, and likable enough that new people would want to talk to me? Then I would have never met that roommate and my wife.
This is why “luck” is such a lazy excuse for weak individuals. Everything I listed in that example requires skill and effort. You don’t luck your way into understanding Ayn Rand or being a likable person. These are elements of life you must work at.
Never let them call it luck
Yes, there are elements of life outside of your control. Our economy is predatory, your parents may have been abusive, and you may have physical or mental ailments that add undue stress and challenge to your life.
So what? I hate to be that guy, but most of your life is still absolutely under your control. You decide everything from your attitude to your skills.
Mentally, you can’t let anyone convince you that luck drives success. It isn’t luck. It has never been and never will be. You create the opportunities that come into your life. Your skills, virtues, and mindset will enable you to maximize those opportunities.
Become an individual and create the life you want.
Become An Individual
How Working Smarter Improves Your Work Ethic - In this post, I discuss how working smarter improves your work ethic.
How To Develop A Work Ethic - In this post, I discuss how to develop your work ethic.
Work Hard; Envy Will Not Save You - In this post, we talk about the dangers and pitfalls of envy. Then, we explore why hard work is the perfect antidote to envy.
Check out more posts at Become An Individual.
Read more of my Substack Posts.
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