Michał Broda
As humans, we exhibit a strong desire to control our surroundings and outcomes, which seems almost ingrained in our being. Yet, life and nature often remind us how limited that control truly is. This is where the idea of luck comes into play. When we face unpredictable and uncontrollable circumstances, luck serves as an explanation of that chaos. It is our excuse for both success and failure that can’t be entirely influenced by our actions or decisions.
Yet, what we perceive as luck is very much context-dependent. What one person sees as luck, another may view as a result of hard work. For example, a good grade might be seen by a student as them being "lucky", but to a hardworking student who got the grade, it surely is due to hours of studying and practice. Similarly, winning a lottery is often considered incredibly lucky, but, mathematically, it’s a small but not zero chance. In both cases, luck exists in the eyes of a spectator, which shows how we interpret the unpredictable nature of life.
For another example, someone who works hard but still fails might blame bad luck instead of thinking that they are personally responsible for their lot in life. But attributing success to good luck can be viewed as humble, and acknowledging that success can often depend on being in the right place at the right time can be seen as mature. In this way, luck allows us to balance our desire for control and living in a world where we can’t possibly control everything.
There is a quote often attributed to the Roman philosopher Seneca: "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." According to this perspective, people are not victims of good or bad fortune. Instead, we can play an active role in determining our own luck by being prepared and quick enough to take advantage of the chances that come our way.
In some cultures, luck is often tied to superstition and rituals. Over the years, many societies have developed symbols or practices that are meant to influence luck, such as carrying a lucky charm, following certain rules or avoiding actions thought to bring bad luck. Some are well known even in Poland: one should not walk under a ladder, but it might be a good idea to have a horseshoe above the door or a four-leafed clover in your pocket. While these rituals are often not rooted in logic or science, they provide people with a sense of control over uncertain outcomes.
In life, luck can be a powerful reminder of the complexity of our human existence. We all experience moments when hard work seems to go unnoticed, and we also sometimes achieve success seemingly without understanding exactly why. These moments of luck, both good and bad are a reminder to reflect on the limits of our control and the unpredictability of life.
In summary, luck is an explanation for the fact that life does not always follow the most logical path or one that we want it to. It reminds us that effort, while important, is not always enough to guarantee success and failure often doesn’t always mean our fault. By recognizing the role that luck plays in our lives, we can gain a greater appreciation for our achievements and enjoy the randomness that life brings. Some people might say that this little dose of unpredictability makes our world much better than a hypothetical black and white, deterministic alternative.
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