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Luck Is Just Another 4-Letter Word
Guest Article Exploring The Word "Luck"

Posted by Kevin Walker on 2023-12-21
Editor’s Note: Kevin runs Procuretech, a San Diego based purchasing company, and a terrific partner here at Plannedscape. Their business is providing hardware/software procurement services. Normally here, Kevin describes how companies like his give clients a smart strategic advantage and saves them in both resources and costs while enhancing value ... but this week Kevin gets to wax more philosophically.


I’ve been thinking about luck. lately. I mean what is it how do you get it and can you run out of it.


Luck

Many people have luck we even say things like, "he's a lucky bastard" or "that lucky devil" or "some people have all the luck". For many who are just starting out there's beginners’ luck or somebody having the luck of the draw. And what about "lucky in love"? We are lucky to have love or know love?

And supposedly there’s Irish luck. I've known a few Irish folks they didn't seem that lucky to me. But we say luck of the Irish and they have that shamrock with a leprechaun supposed to be lucky they even named a cereal for it, Lucky Charms.

Is it gender neutral? Frank Sinatra crooned "Luck be a Lady Tonight" we have "Lady Luck." Never heard of gentleman luck or man luck or even dude luck. So maybe not.


More Luck

Luck can be a bad thing like "shit out of luck" or you can be down on your luck. Hell, everyone’s heard Albert King sing "if it wasn't for bad luck I wouldn't have no luck at all" in Born Under a Bad Sign.

Don't forget I've run out of luck. So, apparently we actually know that moment when our luck has run out. But then there's "tough luck"; I guess that's the consolation prize when we lose. Or did we push our luck too much.

And in sports the NBA draft lottery is said to be all about luck. The great golfer Gary Player coined the phrase "The more I practice the luckier I get". We all wish our competitors "best of luck" at the opening of a game but when they win we say "that lucky dog".

Going to a byob party better bring a dish as it's a "potluck" in that we bring a dish of food to encourage more luck upon our friends and family.


Lucky Strike

I remember when we were kids and if you happen to find on the ground a Lucky Strike cigarette pack that someone had thrown away we would rush over to it and while putting our foot on it yell out "Lucky Strike, strike me lucky" and your best buddy could haul off and slug you. Always trying to get any luck tossed our way that we could.


The Takeaway

I don't know but I think I've been lucky once or twice in my life, I've won something or other a couple times and cheated death once so for now I guess I'll just "count my lucky stars".

Good luck to you!