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.
Good point – were it not for the potato famine, I wouldn’t have been lucky enough to grow up in Canada. In fact, I might not even exist.
Were it not for the potato famine I wouldn’t be married to my husband! His Rafter ancestors emigrated to the U.S. from Ireland in the mid-1800s.
Michelle R.
I enjoyed this article. Such a refreshing attitude. Thanks for writing.
Thank you so much for the beautiful article! ” Happy St. Patrick’s Day – may the luck of the Irish – the luck you make for yourself – be with you always.”
A fresh look at why things happen … consistently contributing ideas and knowledge. Yes, we do look back and appreciate that change does happen and is great to have the change. I wonder what the Irish world would have been like if they had blogs to write their world?
What a positive post! Definitely an attitude we could all use in Ireland at the moment 🙂 Found your blog through Writer Abroad, will be following!
Thanks – I love knowing that people are reading and finding this useful halfway around the world.
Michelle