The Nature of Luck

Luck is a funny thing.  You have it.  You don't have it.

You lead a charmed life.  You've hit the skids.

I've gone on hot streaks at the poker tables that seem only attributable to luck.  And then I've seen droughts that could put the steadiest person in the world on tilt.

So you adopt rituals to increase your luck, right?

John McEnroe would avoid stepping on lines as he went back to serve.  Golfers practice their swings a set number of times.  Baseball players do the same in the batter's box.

Some pray.  Others negotiate.  Most prepare in the best way they know how.

And then, there is the good luck symbol, talisman, charm.  We all have used one, haven't we?  A lucky coin?  A lucky rabbit's foot?

I sometimes bring a token as a card protector to casinos and poker tournaments.  I won the token by advancing at a tournament benefiting Camp One Step, so the token has special meaning for me.  I've seen stones, fossils, family pictures, and chips used similarly.  These are little things however.  Little things meant to bring a little luck.  They might be meaningless but who cares really?

When luck is applied to an infertile, it takes on a whole new meaning; reaches a whole new level.  How can anyone understand the ill luck that strikes the infertile?  How can anyone else understand the feeling that fate, the gods, the universe conspires against you?

We don't need balance tippers.  We need momentum changers.  Is there any good luck charm that can do so much?

A good fertility doctor could be viewed as a good luck talisman.  An eastern medicine doctor (not Doctor Quack!) could as well.  Lucky numbers?  Lucky dates?  I know for a fact that one heckuva lot of people are planning big things for 11/11/11!  They'd better!  Or else wait until next century, that is.

We searched Petfinder.com for our good luck talisman, though we didn't realize what he would be to us.  We just figured that we were looking to adopt a puppy.

By the way, for those of you who are considering a dog for your home.  Petfinder.com is a great website that allows you to see all of the shelter dogs in your area.  You'll see photos and know where to find them.  I know there are some out there searching only for a specific kind of dog, and believing that only a breeder can make their vision come to life.  There are some pure breeds in these shelters, and they need a home as badly as the mutts.  And the mutts, well there is a very good chance that they will charm your pants off!  Please do consider it!

What have you done in hopes of turning your luck?