I am obsessed with finding out different rituals and cultural superstitions throughout the world (a reason I almost started studying Religions and Anthropology), and one that I have always delighted in reading about was luck. One of the most universal beliefs in Luck. Every single culture believes certain things bring good luck, or harbor bad. Some can be rather odd if you look at it on the surface ( crickets?)  So, here’s some ideas I have had pertaining to luck, good fortune, and making your own future!

• Build a giant Fortune Teller and have a special “Grand Opening” party!

Like hers, but about 70 times bigger.

• Pick a random time to turn on the radio. Use the first song you hear to interpret how to take future action. Then take it! “Stairway to Heaven”? Climb steps for exercise. “Single Ladies?” Love yourself and everything you have to offer the world; you don’t need no man by your side! Personally I’m hoping this song comes on, for reasons I think you all know!

• Make your own fortune cookies and hand them out to friends the next time you’re at dinner. Is it weird that I adore Creativity Portal for kids? they have the best rainy-day ideas!!

photo by pinksherbet

• The essence of luck is opportunity, i.e. – You make your own luck. I heart Damn Interesting.

• Throw a “Good Luck” party!

• “Luck” refers to that which happens to a person beyond that person’s control. This view incorporates phenomena that are chance happenings, a person’s place of birth for example, but where there is no uncertainty involved, or where the uncertainty is irrelevant. Within this framework you can differentiate between three different types of luck:

1. Constitutional luck, that is, luck with factors that cannot be changed. Place of birth and genetic constitution are typical examples.

2. Circumstantial luck, that is, luck with factors that are haphazardly brought on. Accidents and epidemics are typical examples.

3. Ignorance luck, that is, luck with factors one does not know about. Examples can be identified only in hindsight.

So go out there, children of the world-create your own luck! you know what they say, “Fortes fortuna adiuvat!!”

“Fortune favors the bold!”