Doomed for Bad Luck?

[Jennifer]

Mr. Hill suggest that no one is "doomed" to bad luck.  Thought for discussion:  If this is true, then why do some people seem to have so much bad luck?  Can it be controlled?  Have you ever thought yourself doomed to bad luck or misfortune? 

Does this mean that ANYONE can achieve their dreams?

[Lance]

Mr. Hill suggest that no one is "doomed" to bad luck.  Thought for discussion:  If this is true, then why do some people seem to have so much bad luck?  Can it be controlled?  Have you ever thought yourself doomed to bad luck or misfortune? 

Does this mean that ANYONE can achieve their dreams?

Sure, I've had days when I think that bad luck seems to follow me around.  Then I start to think, "sure, that's what I thought would happen!".  And the thing is, as I do this, I just generate more of a negative attitude.  Does that bring more "bad luck"?  I'm not sure that it brings more of it - I do think, though, that I "see" more things as bad. 

So, back to the original question - can it be controlled, or are some people doomed?  I think that definitely, it can be controlled.  And that anyone CAN achieve their dreams.  It's a matter of perspective.  What one person sees as misfortune, another sees as an opportunity to grow and learn.

So, even when there are days when it seems like things are only "bad" - it's important to remember that "this too will pass" - and there might even be a silver lining in it all (if we'll only look for it...)

[Julie]

Hm.  If the basic premise of this chapter, faith, is true, then I think bad luck, faltering, set-backs, and failures are because we didn't believe enough to hold onto our faith, thereby fueling us to continue acting toward our goal.  Once we doubt, we've given ourselves permission to slack off.  Once we find our faith, again, and have another try at whatever it is we're trying to accomplish, then things start to happen again.

Sometimes, though, when things don't go as planned, it's not simply a matter of a lack of faith, but rather not listening to our inner voice; it's us taking a route that's not going to pan out or that's not in our best interest.  That could be "bad luck" that hasn't anything to do with faith.

[jayfrawley]

There is no luck. Life is filled with factual statements that we as humans throw emotion to. For instance, I was laid off from my corporate job last week. Most people would say "Wow, that is bad luck" but you know what, that job was simply 1 sponsor for my life. It did not work out, no big deal. There are plenty of life sponsors out there to take its place. One persons "luck" is another persons "bad luck". It is all simply data, take it in, and move forward I say.

[Lance]

There is no luck. Life is filled with factual statements that we as humans throw emotion to. For instance, I was laid off from my corporate job last week. Most people would say "Wow, that is bad luck" but you know what, that job was simply 1 sponsor for my life. It did not work out, no big deal. There are plenty of life sponsors out there to take its place. One persons "luck" is another persons "bad luck". It is all simply data, take it in, and move forward I say.

That's an interesting concept, Jay.  And one I find very uplifting.  It's easy to get down on ourselves when something "bad" happens.  And in adversity, sometimes great things can happen anyway - especially if we're not being a downer about it - instead looking at what new possibilities this creates. 

[Ross]

Yeah, really interesting point....  I've had to go back and think about people I know who always seem to have 'bad luck' and think whether or not it's really a product of their own doing....

One common theme I have seen over and over with people who have problems with drug or alcohol dependence, is the 'poor me' attitude.  I know people in this situation that will blame everyone and anyone else before taking any kind of responsibility for their own problems.  I guess in their eyes they would look at other people and say "man, they have all the luck...." but in reality, they could turn their situation around immediately if they really wanted to...

Also, as Julie suggests, taking a route that's not in our best interest could be seen as 'bad luck', when really it has more to do with poor choices, not listening to our inner self, or that 'small voice'....

[Jennifer]

I have also thought of people I know who seemed to have "bad luck" and been able to see where yes, they have brought it on themselves.

Often, the "poor me" attitude does accompany the drunk or drug addict.  From what I have learned they actually can not stop even with maximum effort unless they are taught to deal with the root cause of why they got addicted in the first place.  Once they are taught to deal with their unresolved emotional pain and to process it then they can stop their addictions.  Changing the "poor me' attitude is certainly a part of that.

It is interesting how people see things as bad luck when in reality is nothing more nor less than poor choices.  I've been guilty of this.