I don’t believe in bad luck
Though I don’t believe in bad luck or good luck for that matter, I’m starting to feel like a character in a Lemony Snickett story. Lately, it seems as if the world is conspiring against me, and it’s making me a little edgy. I’m not waiting for the other shoe to drop, I’m waiting for the whole shoe tree to tumble onto my roof. Did I mention I recently had my roof replaced?
There are people who will complain about their luck, and I generally find that what they consider bad luck is more a result of poor planning or risky behavior. I, of course, am not responsible for the fate that has befallen me. I keep singing the song by singer/songwriter Christine Lavin called Victim/Volunteer, (It’s worth a listen) and just so we’re all clear, I am a victim here!
The Sky is Falling
It was only a few weeks ago that I wrote about my twin troubles of needing to replace both my furnace and hot water heater. Last week, when she returned home from a few days visiting friends my daughter informed me that something had happened to the car. She was standing in front of me, clearly in one piece with no visible injuries, so I took a deep breath and asked what that something was.
The good news (and we take it where we can) was that the accident didn’t involve anyone else. Nope, just her and some bollards at a gas station. I took another deep breath and we went to survey the damage. We haven’t gotten the estimate back, but the bad news is that there is significant damage to both doors on the passenger side of my seven-year-old car, and I have a $1,000 deductible. Oh, and my dermatologist found a little skin cancer on my cheek. The good news there? They can either freeze or burn it off. Yeah!
Luck or karma
Is karma the same as luck? Not exactly. Assuming it’s real, Karma is earned whether it’s good or bad, and luck is random. We will not even discuss punishment meted out by a vengeful God, as I haven’t ever done anything that bad.
That said, why is all this shit happening to me at once? I would like an explanation. Now, please.
But maybe I’m looking at all of this the wrong way. It’s possible I’m defaulting to my scarcity mindset and not seeing this cascade of events as the gift it is. Or a few gifts. That must be it.
I now have a new furnace and hot water heater! Last year I had to replace my central air unit, so that’s fairly new as well. Who doesn’t love new stuff? And I have a job to return to. A small procedure that is nothing (for the doctor) and my face will be fine, and who knows, I may end up getting that new car I’d written off as unlikely.
Is it too early for a drink?
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Sic Fayl - Okay, so I’m not gonna lie: The last comment/question made me laugh. The way you tried to see the positive in it all and in the end, even looking at that only lead to wanting to get a little drunk, just turns the text even more personable than it already was.
And I can’t believe your text is only about two thirds of the word limit – it reads as so much more than that! (Which is meant in a very positive way, trust me, because it shows how well you can wield words, that you only need to use so few to perfectly express what you mean to say.)
In the end, I’m really just left with one question: Why IS all of this happening to you? Because honestly, at this point, I’m nearly as confused/curious about that as you are.
nrlowell@comcast.net - Thanks for the read and I’m glad you found it funny, that was my intention.
As they say, life comes at you fast sometimes.
Margaret - I laughed out loud at “I’m not waiting for the other shoe to drop, I’m waiting for the whole shoe tree to tumble onto my roof. Did I mention I recently had my roof replaced?” Your tongue-in-cheek style in this (sarcasm?) worked well. It lets the reader feel your frustration and gives us the feel that you’ll make it through this anyway.
You definitely have had more than your share. Hope this is the end of the bad luck.
nrlowell@comcast.net - Margaret, I’m glad you Found this piece funny. Humorous writing is difficult (for me) so I’m happy I managed it.
Jen Mierisch - “the whole shoe tree” – haha! I had to look up “scarcity mindset,” and I read a whole article about it only to realize it’s my husband to a T. You taught me something new today.
nrlowell@comcast.net - Jen, glad you enjoyed it. Scarcity is a tough one. It sneaks up on you.