Who's feeling lucky?

Luck.

This time of year you hear that word a lot.

You see images of it in the form of 4-leaf clovers and shamrocks and leprechauns and pots of gold.

You might even wear green to try and feel it.

Everyone wants to be lucky.

Our kids have wanted it since they could speak.

At age four - "Jacob's so lucky, the teacher picked him first to share today!"

At age 10 - "Morgan's so lucky, she gets to go to Harry Potter World for Spring Break!"

At age 16 - "Chelsea's so lucky, she got a laptop for her birthday!"

As adults we think it all the time - "That white trash midwestern couple is so lucky, they just won the Powerball!"

But what is luck, really?

I'm thinking it's not always as simple of a concept as our children, and even many adults, think it is.

I know I certainly feel lucky on a daily basis.

But am I really "lucky"? Or is much of what I'm feeling simply the direct result of the choices I've made? 

My family, the things I have....sure, one might look at me and think, "Dude. She's lucky," but I think there's certain things in life where luck takes a back seat and you become the driver. 

I chose to marry a man who I knew adored and respected me and made me laugh every single day.

We parented our children with a balance of discipline, solid expectations and, of course, a large dose of that same kind of humor. We taught them what behavior was "at home acceptable" and "in public acceptable" (big difference). As a result, sure, I'm thankful every day to have awesome kids who are kind and respectful and hilarious, and certainly lucky they are healthy and free of other behavior/social difficulties, but as for who they are? I'd argue that much of that isn't due to luck at all.

My friend Teri talks about how lucky she is to be surrounded by good friends in this post over at The Epistolarians. Are we lucky to have the friends we have? I'd certainly say luck plays a big part of it, as in "I was lucky she moved in next door!" or "It was so lucky you were vomiting in the toilet next to me at the Sigma Nu house."  But there's undoubtedly an extent of choosing who we surround ourselves with that plays a part in that as well.

I know a few people who may think I'm lucky for the things I have in my life.

Be it our home, the vacations we're able to take, a new electronic device, etc., but I'd vehemently disagree. That's not luck at all. Things - material things - are the result of hard work, perserverence, intelligence and smart planning. Sure, there's a small percentage of the population that just falls into good fortune, but even the Kardashians work their butts off (no pun intended) for their material wealth.

Of course, there are a multitude of things that can only be attributed to luck and good fortune. And then some things that can only be attributed to luck, good fortune and the angel of Dick Clark looking down on you.

Winning $5 in a game of bingo? Lucky.

Finding $20 in a pair of jeans you bought at a vintage store? Luckier.

Not throwing up after eating the same bad egg salad that had your husband hugging the toilet for eight hours straight? Lucky.
When your husband throwing up all night means you get to eat the whole pan of brownies? Luckier.

Getting a sweet dog from a local shelter? Lucky.

Getting a sweet dog from a shelter that also doesn't pee on your carpet, eat legos and and hump the neighbor's legs? Luckier.

Missing the winter blizzard that shut down the airport for two days by a few hours? Lucky.

When the plane you're on is taking you to a tropical location? Luckier.

Missing the garbage cans at the end of your driveway by an inch when you back out? Lucky.

Not getting a scratch on your car when you back into the garbage cans at the end of your driveway? Luckier.

Not getting a migraine after drinking an Appletini at midnight? Lucky.

Not getting a migraine after drinking two Appletinis at midnight? Luckier.

Having picture perfect weather for the entire week you're on a beach vacation? Lucky.

Coming home to find the snow all melted? Luckier. 

Your kid pooping out the .43 cents in change she swallowed? Lucky.

Your kid pooping out .43 cents and the earring you thought you lost? Luckier.

Having a two hour labor? Lucky.

Having a two hour labor and a 6 lb. baby? Luckier.

Boarding a plane and discovering that the seat next to you is empty? Lucky.

Boarding a plane and discovering that the seat next to you is occupied by George Clooney? Luckier.

You get the idea...

The point is, there are so many things in our lives we naturally feel lucky for. And while many of them are due to sheer and stupid luck, I think we need to give ourselves credit for creating much of it.