The Feeling of Being Extremely Lucky: A Personal Perspective

Anyone who says luck doesn’t exist is a literal idiot. And I don't use that word lightly. A lot of people like to live in a fairy tale world where they can pretend everything they have they earned through hard work and perseverance. People with many possessions often don’t believe in luck because it takes away from their accomplishments.

People who have nothing often believe luck is the only factor to success because they just haven’t had much of it. And then there's me, sitting in the middle with a clear view of both extremes. Success is a measure of hard work raised to the power of luck. The big disconnect comes in when we realize that luck has a much greater effect on a successful outcome than hard work does.

Embracing the Unexpected

The feeling of being extremely lucky is quite different from just being lucky. With extreme luck, life is not just a series of fortunate events, but a series of opportunities and coincidences that happen to converge in your favor. For instance, when I did a poor job on a college project, my partner managed to do a much better job on his own while apologizing to me for not being able to read my file. If he had seen how bad my work was, or if my local mead production had stopped due to government bureaucracy, I would have faced severe consequences.

I believe that when great things happen, you are special, and things just happen your way. That's how it feels when you're extremely lucky. This is not to say that luck is the only factor; often, it's a combination of hard work and good fortune. However, when the outcome is almost unrealistic or impossible, you can feel a sense of specialness that transcends ordinary circumstances.

The Gratitude of Privilege

Normal. Because most people who are extremely lucky take their life for granted. If you can afford an internet connection, a PC/laptop, or a smartphone and access Quora, you are extremely lucky compared to 3 billion people worldwide who live on less than $2.50 a day. If you can discuss world problems on Quora, you are luckier than 26% of the world's population that is illiterate. If you can claim a place as home, you are extremely lucky compared to 5.1 million Syrian refugees who fled their homes. If you are well-fed enough to think straight and answer on Quora, you are luckier than 795 million people worldwide who are under-nourished. If you are alive and well reading this on Quora, you are luckier than 1.3 million people worldwide who lose their lives to traffic accidents.

Imagine a world where you can grow old enough to read and write answers on Quora. You are luckier than 4.9 million infants who didn’t live to tell their tales. It's a stark reminder of how much we take for granted and the immense privilege we have in our daily lives.

Lessons in Humility and Morality

It's important to recognize that while luck plays a significant role in success, it's not the only factor. There's a fine line between being lucky and leveraging hard work to seize opportunities. Many extremely lucky people tend to take their life for granted, but it's a humble reminder to recognize the role of others who have helped along the way.

When you're extremely lucky, you should embrace the feeling and the privileges that come with it. But it is essential to maintain a sense of humility. Acknowledge the opportunities you have had and the support you have received. This can influence your behavior positively, leading to a more empathetic and helpful mindset. It’s crucial to give back and help others who are less fortunate.

Conclusion

Being extremely lucky is a privilege, not an accident. The feeling of being lucky extends beyond just the benefits you receive; it's about recognizing the opportunities that converge in your favor, the support you have received, and the responsibilities that come with being fortunate. It's a powerful reminder to value life and to use your luck for good.

References:
- World Bank - Poverty by Day
- Today I Found Out - Illiteracy Rates Worldwide
- UNHCR - Syrian Refugees