GOOD LUCK is when opportunity meets preparedness. Prepare yourself, and look for opportunity. Don't give up easily.
BAD LUCK is just normal everyday circumstance, combined with DUMB LUCK. Everyday circumstances happen to EVERYBODY, but the things WE do day in and day out, before and after the myriad of occurrences determine HOW BAD or HOW GOOD our luck is. ANY circumstance can be BAD LUCK for people who are TOTALLY unprepared.
Dumb luck is what happens when you do stupid things and don't think about the possible consequences. Here are some examples:
1) You pull up to one of those busy intersections that doesn't have traffic lights on it, talking on your cell-phone, THINKING you are COMPLETELY capable of being a good driver AND a good conversationalist at the same time. Keep doing it, and you will regret it.
2) You pull up to one of those busy intersections that doesn't have traffic lights on it, and you SEE the person across the intersection from you talking on their cell-phone, and EXPECT them to be a good driver. Keep doing it, and you will regret it.
3) Tail-gating the car or (worse) the MOTORCYCLE in front of you. About the 1 DUMBEST thing a driver can do. You can't possibly have any idea who that person is, what is on their mind, or what they are going to do. You might make them have an accident, or they might be already pissed off or paranoid, and they might shoot you, particularly the guy on the motorcycle, because you are actually threatening HIS life with your DUMB driving. Just back off to a reasonable distance, and pass when you get a good chance. If you can't pass, YOU CAN'T PASS, SO BACK OFF ANYWAY! DON'T BE AN A--HOLE!
4) You don't pay attention to due dates on statements, so you end up paying late fees all the time. A late fee is money thrown away--no green stamps, no frequent-flier miles, nothing.
5) You don't pay your bills at all, and soon you have nothing.
6) You co-sign with your kid on an expensive car that you wouldn't buy for yourself, EXPECTING them to pay for it. I know, I know, some of them DO, but the odds are not good.
7) You go to court over something relatively minor, thinking you are ACTUALLY innocent until proven guilty. That's a concept--not a reality. You have to go prepared to PROVE your innocence (unless you can afford a really good mouthpiece). True justice is relatively rare in this world, and you know it.
8) If you meet someone you REALLY like, and then instantly feel like you've known them a long time, and then BELIEVE you really DO know them, and act accordingly. It's okay to feel that way about someone, but don't allow what you FEEL to override what you KNOW or don't know.
9) If you think because you don't bother anyone, THEY won't bother YOU.
10) If you think your ship is going to come in one day. That ship sank a long time ago because you daydream too much.
These are just a few examples of the root causes of BAD LUCK, which is usually DUMB LUCK combined with unfavorable circumstance. MOST accidents (I'm guessing 98% or more) occur beause someone is being stupid at the wrong moment in time, not paying attention, whatever. I'll write some more sometime soon. Stay tuned.
