Luck has nothing to do with it. I didn't win the lottery. I still look for items on sale in different countries. I haven't worn any makeup for about a month now. Sometimes I swear - - if I have to wear the same old outfit again, I might have to throw a little fit. There are times when I decline a social event, not because I do not want to mingle and meet other travelers or locals. Definitely not because I don't want to dance. I love dancing. It's because...well, I want to keep going. Like I said, I didn't win the lottery. But I did win something else. I won happiness. Everyday. I wake up and know I will never regret the decision to do what (to me seems most natural in human nature)...explore, learn, and laugh. If anything, I feel lucky to be alive.
Some have told me I'm not doing what I should be doing. Again, I laugh at this. And you can too.
Love, love, love this! I get so aggravated when people tell Ken and I that we're lucky cause we plan on cruising on our sailboat before we hit the age of 50! I get tired of hearing we're lucky that we have this or that ... like you said luck had nothing to do with it .. it was hard work, patience and discipline. Just like you, we rarely go out to the clubs or anything because it's a sacrifice that's required to reach our dream one day. Our motto is "A Penny Saved Is A Penny Earned"! BTW, great quotes too!
ReplyDeleteYes, I understand the aggravation but more so motivates me to further explain 'having zero luck' to others. You're absolutely right about sacrifice, discipline, patience, and Hard Work. I love the motto!!! Some of my favorite mottos that keep me going is, "Get comfortable with being uncomfortable" and "If not now, when?"
DeleteLove this post, Cathy. This has so much truth to it.
ReplyDeleteDoing this stuff while you're young is something many don't understand; most people think we should be building our careers and lives up to plan for retirement... I think that sounds crazy! It is an amazing thing to realize that life is too short to waste it away in a cubical while you're young enough to still enjoy life to the fullest. If people see the ability to live life the way you want to as mere luck, then they clearly do not see the sacrifice and penny pinching that goes on behind the scenes.
Success in life is measured in units of HAPPINESS, and the only person that can grant you happiness is yourself!
~C
Although I understand the concept of building our careers at an early age, I find that there are many (such as myself) that are still in the process of discovering the right career path. Personally, I thought what better way to self-discover than to solidify what I truly want to do - even if it seems 'crazy' or 'irresponsible'. They say 'life is a laugh', so it is important to be conscious of how happy you are along the journey of self-discovery. I love how you measure success!! That's soo true!
DeleteI also truly believe in following your heart, in each step of the way. No regrets, just live.
But you are indeed lucky. you are lucky cause you know yourself, you know your dreams and keep going. Most important of all,you are happy. i dont think luck just means lottery stuff or something.god gives everyone the chance to know themselves ,but not everyone gets it! so just appreciate it and cherish your luck . thats my point of view.
ReplyDeleteGood points Andrew! We all hold different definitions of what 'luck' may look like. Although I may not consider myself lucky, I am grateful of where I stand in my life today! You're right, it is also important to cherish our moments, whether we consider it to be luck or otherwise :)
DeleteYou are so right, Cathy! I think knowing what you want to go and working hard for it is the key :)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, Ana! Determination, discipline, patience..are all key characteristics to transform a dream into a reality :)
DeleteBEAUTIFUL post, Cathy! I couldn't agree with you more!
ReplyDeleteHi Danie! Thank you for the sweet words :) Glad you enjoyed it!
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