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The luck of the Irish – a nice saying with implications that good things just happen to some people.

But the Irish weren’t lucky. They were broke. A potato famine cost millions their livelihoods – and many their lives. Scores left their homeland forever to find work and a better life. Once they landed wherever they landed they endured grinding poverty and prejudice. Luck had nothing to do with the lives they built for themselves and the generations of descendant who followed.

So on this day when we honor St. Patrick and everybody’s feeling a little Irish, think about the luck you make for yourself.

Was it luck that you landed a great assignment, the one that will make this year better than last, or the result of years of hard work perfecting what you do?

Was it luck that the editor interviews you flew to New York to do turned out so well, or the result of research on those publications you did beforehand and the preparations you went through on what you were going to say?

Was it luck that your blog traffic is growing bigger every month, or the result of the hard work you’ve been doing to get it there?

Was it luck that when you lost your staff reporter job you didn’t just land on your feet, you created a business, one that let’s you do what you love to do and pay the bills?

Happy St. Patrick’s Day – may the luck of the Irish – the luck you make for yourself – be with you always.