Luck vs. Choice

 Luck vs. Choice: Who Really Shapes Our Lives?

We’ve all heard phrases like “You make your own luck” or “Right place, right time.” These sayings reflect two powerful forces that shape our lives: luck and choice. But how much of our path is written by chance, and how much is carved by the decisions we make?

Let’s face it, some things are out of our control. The family we’re born into, the country we grow up in, the time period we live through-these are foundational circumstances shaped entirely by luck. Even meeting a key mentor, catching a job opening at the perfect moment, or avoiding an accident can hinge on chance. For the most part, I believe that chance is what sets up our lives. I mean even the odds of being born are about 1 in 400trillion, so that's something to be grateful about. Luck is what brings us into this world and determines our livelihood until consciousness clicks in, and then it is up to us to determine the path we choose to take. 

Choice is undeniably powerful. Two people can face the same circumstance, say, losing a job, but respond in entirely different ways. One may fall into despair; the other may use the moment as a catalyst for reinvention. Our attitude, our persistence, and the small daily decisions we make all compound over time. Even within systems we don’t control, choice gives us leverage. We choose how we treat others, where we focus our time, when to take risks, and when to walk away. These are not small things, they shape our trajectory. The most honest answer may be that success, happiness, and fulfillment arise from a combination of both. Luck opens doors; choice decides whether we walk through them. Luck gives us moments of opportunity; choice determines if we're prepared to act. Choice is freedom. Even when faced with an incredibly difficult decision, knowing that you have the ability to decide your own fate can be comforting and eye-opening.

Think of life like poker: you're dealt a hand, that’s luck. How you play it? That’s choice.

Life is not either/or. It's both/and. Luck gives us the spark, but choice keeps the fire burning. The good news? We may not control everything, but we do control more than we think. Luck can be life-changing, but it is up to us to take advantage of what we've been given. Because of this I think an important thing to remember is to not dwell on that which we cannot control. Strife and frustration over situations that are out of our hands, can halt progress and growth in life. The same thing goes for depending entirely on the universe working for you. Everyone must take jurisdiction over their own lives. 

Comments

  1. Professor KnauerMay 21, 2025 at 12:32 PM

    A good first blog about Luck and Choice. I like your description of luck as 'we are born' and then choice "eveything that follows being born.' Then you follow with saying that luck and choice are intertwined in life-- like a poker game. Great graphics, too.
    I like your conclusion: "Life is not either/or. It's both/and. Luck gives us the spark, but choice keeps the fire burning. The good news? We may not control everything, but we do control more than we think. Luck can be life-changing, but it is up to us to take advantage of what we've been given. Because of this I think an important thing to remember is to not dwell on that which we cannot control. Strife and frustration over situations that are out of our hands, can halt progress and growth in life. The same thing goes for depending entirely on the universe working for you. Everyone must take jurisdiction over their own lives. "


    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Environment vs. Expectations

Image
    Sophie Cucco      Are we products of our environment or products of our expectations? I have a strong stance that we are products of our expectations.   There are people that are handed everything in life and they turn out rotten, while others can come from nothing and create a beautiful and fruitful life for themselves. We can be dealt bad cards, but I believe our paths are determined by something so much deeper than the environment we start out in. The people that influence us, teach us, and love us. The opinions we form of ourselves and lives that we choose to chase are what impacts us the most. While reading about Wes Moore and the other Wes Moore, I've thought a lot about my own experiences and how they have shaped me. Through this, I have come to recognize that our expectations for ourselves matter more than anything else. For example, I go to a very prestigious ballet school in New York City. We have students from across the entire planet, i...
Read more

Music in Life

Image
Sophie Cucco      At times, music gives Wes a way to process his feelings, especially during tough moments like when he’s dealing with his father’s death or struggling with his identity. Music is part of how Wes and his friends connect and express themselves. It shapes their worldview and is often linked to the themes of masculinity, power, and survival. In the early chapters, Wes mentions being surrounded by the rise of  hip-hop culture  in the Bronx. Songs by artists like  Run-D.M.C.  and  Big Daddy Kane  were playing in the background of his daily life. This music didn’t just entertain—it captured the realities of the streets, the struggles of young Black men, and themes like power, poverty, and resistance. Wes recalls how these lyrics shaped how boys saw manhood—often equating it with toughness and dominance, which influenced some of his early behavior. I am a very avid music listener. More so than the average person I would say. I listen...
Read more

Mentorship

Image
 Sophie Cucco Mentors are incredible sources of guidance, strength, and comfort. They often step into our lives when we need them most, offering wisdom and encouragement that help us become the best version of ourselves. I’m incredibly grateful to have one of my own. My mentor is my former dance teacher, someone who has played an essential role in my personal and professional growth. For five years, she taught me, guided me, and pushed me in ways that helped shape who I am today. Our relationship began when I joined her dance class, but over time, it grew into something much deeper. I wasn’t just a student and often, I would assist her with younger classes, or we would spend one-on-one time together in private lessons. I spent so many hours at the studio that it started to feel like a second home, and she became like a second mom to me. Her support didn’t stop when I graduated. When it was time for me to audition for college dance programs, she welcomed me back into the studio and ...
Read more