Ships That Don't Come In

I don't listen to Country Western music often but the other day, this song popped up on YouTube Music when the playlist I was listening to ran out of songs.

I was out running and at one point there were tears on the pavement. It just kicked my butt. I put it in my playlist and kept running and since then I've had several conversations with family and friends about the vicissitudes (I've always liked that word!) of life.

In particular, we talked about the importance of timing to business ventures. I have, what I feel, is a significant number of bad timing events in my career. Of course, one always tends to forget the astonishing list of great timing events over which I had the same control as the bad timing events…I had no control of either.

From having great parents with the resources to get me excellent education opportunity, teachers and mentors providing me with opportunities and resources, to the great good fortune of meeting and marrying Carolyn, and the list could go on and on. 

Finally, I have to admit, while it wasn't the ship or even ships I had looked for, my ship truly came in a big way.

Then I look around at folk who had none or very few of the opportunities and privileges that came in my life and I want to weep. Many of them have worked harder and longer than I have with little to show for it. Granted, many of them have found meaning and joy in their lives but it has cost them far more than my lucky breaks cost me.

So as you walk through your day, a couple of attitudes might be useful…gratitude for the good in your life, much of which due to great luck, and empathy for those who have had the face the world with far less good fortune than you.

Note: If you want to read the book that inspired this post, it's Success and Luck: Good Fortune and the Myth of Meritocracy. And it is very eye-opening.