The luck factor

Luck gets such a bad rap sometimes. (Just watched Matchpoint again so it's on my mind a little bit). If you're religious (esp Christian) the word is almost taboo -good things happen because God is blessing you, or answering your prayers. In the Western/capitalist world in general, the over-riding philosophy is good things happen when you work for them - the American dream can be yours if you pull up your bootstraps and work hard. But seriously, there are so many little events in life I have a hard time writing off through faith, hard work, or logic. And while I do think a lot of the really awesome things that have happened to me in the last four months are a result of my previous hard work, my attitude and openness to life, and that happiness breeds more happiness just like sadness feed itself - I personally can't avoid the huge amount of sheer luck that has come into play.

In August, I was ready to quit Lulu and move home. Through a random im conversation, I discovered there was a job in India within the company I could possibly go for, so I said I would go and a move to India date was set. Being future 'cheap labour' probably saved me from the massive layoffs Lulu had in October. When I changed my mind, I started looking for a job, against all the odds. An acquaintance said 'try gumtree', which is not really the most normal or legit place for jobs so I'd never tried it before. I type in 'pianos' and up comes the piano shop. Interview = I'm hired. Minor detail of work permit, so I can't quit/start right away. No problem, we decided I would be part-time on the weekends for now, and I was going to have to work from home for Lulu anyway, so I could work for Lulu from the shop until we find a way to have me work here legally. How in the WORLD did I find the one piano shop owner in London who so hates searching for employees after he finds someone he likes that he stuck with me for 3 months before I was officially full-time!? Meanwhile Lulu found a perfect job for me there as well, and came around on everything that had made me miserable before. It was almost enough for me to stay; instead it just made for a really nice way to end my time there and I left on good terms with a long notice period.

Then all the little things that go around these big things just keep going my way - it's like every time I flip a coin, it lands the side I called. I know that this streak will probably end at some point, and there have been some things that have definitely not ended up how I would have liked, but there are so many more positives than negatives that they are what I end up focusing on, and thus more good things come. The flip side to that argument is that I'm so happy and relieved with my new life that I'm only looking for the good things, so that's why I see more of them - but in the end, who cares whether the chicken or egg came first - I'm having a great time :)