The word luck can have many interpretations. In my opinion, it should be divided into two types of luck. Namely, blind chance, and the luck that we “create” ourselves. The kind of luck that we enforce ourselves is when preparation meets opportunity.

Becoming competent, and learning to recognize, and consequently act upon the surrounding opportunities are skills that are vital to become thriving in life. That’s what differentiates it from blind fortune.

Let me explain why luck is when preparation meets opportunity.

We all know someone who’s kind, lovable and speaks softly. And when conflict arises, they’re the first to negotiate peace and cooperation instead of using verbal or physical force.

Yet, this kindness is not the same as a weakness since we know they’re an absolute badass capable of extreme violence should the circumstances require it. Nevertheless, they don’t resort to making threats. This is what we call carrying a big stick.

It’s a great philosophy to have in life since it promotes competency, honesty, and confidence since there’s no fake bravado involved with this particular mindset.

So what does speaking softly and carrying a big stick mean exactly? And how does it apply in life? Let’s find out.

Some people, particularly those who have suffered a lot, and as a result possess a lot of mental and emotional scarring, see life as something to get over with. They don’t see it as a gift, but rather as a curse that causes them great suffering.

However, for most, life is an absolute privilege. Sure, there are bad, painful events and experiences, but overall, life isn’t all that bad. We’re free to pursue whatever we desire and to live life exactly the way we want to.

Never before in our history has life been so safe, which frees up a lot of valuable time to pursue other meaningful goals and dreams.

Ever wondered why the same experiences keep happening to us, even though we desperately want those occurrences to stop happening?

It’s because life keeps giving us the same lesson, until we decide to learn our teaching, that is. Unconsciously, we often keep repeating the same mistakes and actions that allow these same situations to keep happening over, and over again.

That’s why we need to learn to actively change our beliefs, habits, and behavior to prevent these same circumstances from occurring once more.

Let me explain why the lesson you struggle with will repeat itself until you learn from it.

To become successful in life, we need to adopt multiple skills that require a lot of time and hard work to develop those abilities properly. Slow and steady wins the race indeed.

That’s also one of the many reasons why life is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s a process. And what we do in between we’re born, and dead, is what defines us as a person.

Let me explain why the good things in life take a lot of time and effort to develop.

“The society that separates its scholars from its warriors will have its thinking done by cowards and its fighting by fools.”

This popular quote from Thucydides, an Athenian general and scholar, is the inspiration for this article today.

It indicates that both intelligence AND Physical strength/courage are demanded to live a good life, to make good decisions, and to keep society from turning malevolent. This is especially important for people in leadership positions.

Ever got so caught up in the details of an interesting story you were reading that you forgot what the main plot of the book was?

That’s what we call being unable to see the forest for the trees. It means we’re so involved in the details that we forget to look at the bigger picture, and what the main plot is.

Let me explain why not being able to see the wood for the trees is detrimental to your life.

Do you know that feeling of being young, full of energy, and looking forward to all the exciting things that the future holds such as getting our driver’s license, our place, and maybe even getting children? Do you feel like you have all the time in the world you’ll ever need?

Most of us do. But the reality is often bittersweet. The future can indeed hold great things for us, and we can certainly influence our future. Yet, time isn’t unlimited. Before long, we will all be gone from this planet.

That doesn’t mean that life holds no meaning, since there are the people we hold dear like our family and close friends who are worth living for. But it does mean that time is precious and that you shouldn’t squander your time.

Let me explain why you shouldn’t squander your time.

We tend to follow the crowd for various reasons. But it’s typically because it’s easier, more convenient, or because they’re afraid of going against the crowd out of fear of being judged harshly, or negatively.

And while it might be handy not having to think by simply pursuing the decisions of others, blindly following the group is dangerous, and is something that I would advise against.

Let me explain why you shouldn’t be a sheep and follow the herd blindly.