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GOOD LUCK

Saturday Nov. 7, 2015

 

Somebody’s e-mail yesterday wished me ‘good luck’. A text arrived this morning, ‘good luck today’.

Thanks, I appreciate those well wishes. I really do.

Luck? Chance? Some choice-making judge’s whim might work in my favour? (as likely to favour someone else)

Life doesn’t provide bounty very often.

Success comes from significant effort. Need brains, body, attitude and preparation. Need them aligned, poised and dare I say it, ‘eager’ to succeed. Luck in day to day life, commerce or competition isn’t worth a pinch ’o coon dung …

Some days, no matter how hard we try, how hard we work, our ability to accomplish much of anything worthwhile is, quite frankly, limp beyond imagination …

Do we know what kind of day today will be?

Weatherman give us clues. Our agenda give us clues. Some will be planned, predictable and happy. Some might be a matter of chance, accident or serendipity … but do we know?

And some days are about simply, showing up. When that happens we need to be grateful – smile. Take your prize. Enjoy that moment.

Whether we are gasping for our last breath or grasping for our next brass ring, life isn’t built or sustained on luck. It isn’t about luck. Sure, we get lucky sometimes. But how satisfying is a lucky win? Great for five seconds. How satisfying is an earned win, a hard work’s reward win?

I have no idea whether I’ll win this day, but I have the confidence of a winner. Attitude, mental preparation – the matter so much. Also, showing up in the right place at the right time would be helpful. I’ll try that.

Mark Kolke

P.S.: must go now – shave and shower, then off to semi-annual ritual of keen and competitive Toastmasters: the Division Contests. Today, Table Topics contest and Humorous Speech Contest. I’m representing my Area, G23, in the Division G contests(Glenmore Sailing Club venue @10:30AM). Winners advance to District 42 (Alberta & Saskatchewan) competition in Saskatoon in two weeks.

written / published from Calgary, AB

morning walk:  3C/37F, some clouds and some sunshine – nice mix for a balmy/Chinook day; Gusta seemed amazed that we walked so far, or that I walked so fast, some reasons for that …


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