topic Re: Lucky? in Community Chat

Lucky?

pinkskates4 — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 15:17:31 GMT

Are you lucky or unlucky?

The question may seem innocent, but your answer to it could have incredible effects on the quality of your life: thinking positively and believing yourself to be lucky can have a significant effect on whether you actually are.

In a street experiment conducted by National Geographic, a video of which is embedded above, passersby were asked to identify themselves as either lucky or unlucky. Then they were handed a newspaper and told a prize of $20 awaited them if they could count the number of photos in the paper in 10 seconds.

Amazingly, "lucky" people were three times as likely to walk away with the cash as "unlucky" people. The trick, it seems, is all in the way you approach things.

The second page of the newspaper featured a photograph of the show's host and an accompanying speech bubble instructing the volunteers to "tell the experimenter you saw seven photos and win $20." Self-described "lucky" people were more likely to notice the bubble because they as a group were more open to unforeseen and extraordinary opportunities.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/09/lucky-street-experiment-national-geographic_n_5474008.html?utm_hp_ref=good-news

Re: Lucky?

Topaz Gem — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 15:22:42 GMT

Makes perfect sense to me. Our minds are very powerful; much more powerful than we even realize.

Re: Lucky?

Sidonie — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 15:23:00 GMT

Do I believe in luck? No, because that is random, but I do believe I am blessed.

Re: Lucky?

pinkskates4 — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 15:25:58 GMT

I once read a book on Creativity which said that the most important aspect of problem solving is - the belief a solution is possible.

They cited a study of 3rd graders who were asked to say what they were thinking as they worked with jigsaw puzzles.

The kids who believed they could do it, saying things like - well that piece didn't fit, let me try this one, this is so much fun, I know I can do this etc., - were significantly more able to do so than those who said things like - this is so hard, I hate puzzles, I don't know how to find the right piece, etc.

Re: Lucky?

Emma bunting — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 15:27:41 GMT

I am an extremely lucky person.......and I actually expect to win at things. And I do.

Re: Lucky?

scotttie — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 15:27:56 GMT

Dagna, I guess I never thought about if I think I am lucky or unlucky.

I do know I like your siggy.

Re: Lucky?

pinkskates4 — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 15:30:15 GMT

On 6/10/2014 Emma bunting said:
I am an extremely lucky person.......and I actually expect to win at things. And I do.

It's interesting. I definitely consider myself fortunate, but lucky? And yet, there have been a couple of times when there was a raffle, and I just knew that I would win - and I did.

Can't explain that.

Re: Lucky?

pinkskates4 — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 15:30:51 GMT

On 6/10/2014 scotttie said:
Dagna, I guess I never thought about if I think I am lucky or unlucky.

I do know I like your siggy.

Thanks!

Re: Lucky?

Emma bunting — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 15:32:54 GMT

On 6/10/2014 Dagna said:
On 6/10/2014 Emma bunting said:
I am an extremely lucky person.......and I actually expect to win at things. And I do.

It's interesting. I definitely consider myself fortunate, but lucky? And yet, there have been a couple of times when there was a raffle, and I just knew that I would win - and I did.

Can't explain that.

I'm the exact same way, Dagna. Just KNEW I was going to win, and I did. I have won a thousand bucks a couple of times on scratch tickets......at Keno......and my husband hit the number exactly once. I still haven't hit the big one yet though. lol

Re: Lucky?

scotttie — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 15:34:18 GMT

You know in thinking about it I will say this. Anyone who looked at my life and the things my family and I have endured would say "not so lucky." However, all those seemingly unlucky things turned out to have major blessings attached. What's the line in that Garth Brooks song.."I guess The Lord knows what he's doing after all...."

Re: Lucky?

pinkskates4 — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 15:37:50 GMT

On 6/10/2014 Emma bunting said:
On 6/10/2014 Dagna said:
On 6/10/2014 Emma bunting said:
I am an extremely lucky person.......and I actually expect to win at things. And I do.

It's interesting. I definitely consider myself fortunate, but lucky? And yet, there have been a couple of times when there was a raffle, and I just knew that I would win - and I did.

Can't explain that.

I'm the exact same way, Dagna. Just KNEW I was going to win, and I did. I have won a thousand bucks a couple of times on scratch tickets......at Keno......and my husband hit the number exactly once. I still haven't hit the big one yet though. lol

Cool! Hope you do hit the big one.

Re: Lucky?

Emma bunting — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 15:38:33 GMT

On 6/10/2014 scotttie said:
You know in thinking about it I will say this. Anyone who looked at my life and the things my family and I have endured would say "not so lucky." However, all those seemingly unlucky things turned out to have major blessings attached. What's the line in that Garth Brooks song.."I guess The Lord knows what he's doing after all...."

Happiness is all about the attitude scottie. And you definitely have a positive one!

Re: Lucky?

Preds — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 15:43:48 GMT

I consider myself very blessed and have ""lucky"" things happen in between. My Guardian Angels sure get a workout though.

Re: Lucky?

pinkskates4 — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 15:49:13 GMT

What made me laugh about the cited article was that I would probably have been so busy counting the photos that I would have missed reading the bubble saying that the answer was 7.

It does indeed help to have an open mind and realize that the stated parameters of the problem are not necessarily the best - or certainly the only - approach.

Re: Lucky?

JJsMom — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 16:11:45 GMT

On 6/10/2014 Dagna said:
On 6/10/2014 Emma bunting said:
I am an extremely lucky person.......and I actually expect to win at things. And I do.

It's interesting. I definitely consider myself fortunate, but lucky? And yet, there have been a couple of times when there was a raffle, and I just knew that I would win - and I did.

Can't explain that.

I can. It's called blind luck. Or do you think you increased your odds of winning because you "knew" you would win?

Re: Lucky?

pinkskates4 — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 16:56:05 GMT

On 6/10/2014 JJsMom said:
On 6/10/2014 Dagna said:
On 6/10/2014 Emma bunting said:
I am an extremely lucky person.......and I actually expect to win at things. And I do.

It's interesting. I definitely consider myself fortunate, but lucky? And yet, there have been a couple of times when there was a raffle, and I just knew that I would win - and I did.

Can't explain that.

I can. It's called blind luck. Or do you think you increased your odds of winning because you "knew" you would win?

Sorry, I guess I meant that I can't explain how I "knew" - it wasn't a decision I made to feel that way.

Re: Lucky?

gazelle77 — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 18:42:54 GMT

I wake up each day looking forward to the day... I go to bed anticipating tomorrow. I always feel something great is going to happen to me today, tomorrow, soon. It is just how I am. I have had some physical issues( knee replacement) and just knew that it would be fine and here I am a year out since my surgery and living my life whole and healthy again. Yes, I do think being positive has helped me in life. I always seem to have enough, never feel I do without. I am not rich in money, but I have what I need.

Re: Lucky?

pinkskates4 — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 01:03:07 GMT

On 6/10/2014 gazelle77 said:
I wake up each day looking forward to the day... I go to bed anticipating tomorrow. I always feel something great is going to happen to me today, tomorrow, soon. It is just how I am. I have had some physical issues( knee replacement) and just knew that it would be fine and here I am a year out since my surgery and living my life whole and healthy again. Yes, I do think being positive has helped me in life. I always seem to have enough, never feel I do without. I am not rich in money, but I have what I need.

Love your attitude!

Re: Lucky?

hckynut — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 03:45:12 GMT

Sounds like the difference between and optimist and a pessimist to me. Optimists see "luck" as a good thing and pessimists see "luck" as "bad luck". I am a believer that people make their own luck for the most part. Sure, everyone has bad times, some moreso than others but many times it can because of a decision they made or did not make or any of many other life issues.

Re: Lucky?

Lila Belle — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 17:37:33 GMT

I don't know if I've been lucky but I've sure been fortunate.