Lucky

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I couldn’t resist getting a photo in front of these words, I love them. Do we get lucky, or do we work hard and get rewarded? Or is it somehow a combination of the two, mixed with a bit of right place, right time? Who knows… but I like to think that eventually, hard work pays off.

I’ve never been one to bellyache over missed shots, and I’ve certainly been known to take a few from well past the half-court line...no guts, no glory. But it’s also worth noting that the work we do needs to be productive. There’s no sense trying to bail out a sinking ship with a Dixie cup, so a dose of realism matters too.

I snapped this photo when I attended the Connecticut Recreation Conference last fall, dazzled by the scale of the enormous event and eager to be part of it. So when I received an email a couple of weeks ago asking me to speak at this year’s conference… I was proud as punch and tickled pink.  Isn’t it amazing the strides we can make in just one short year?

I realize I don’t usually talk about work, I try to keep this blog focused on my real life, but once in a while, the two overlap. I loved my speaking gig in Maine, and now it’s on to Connecticut. I guess I’m laying the foundation for more speaking opportunities, yet another side gig. As if I need another one… but we can’t just play mahjong all day, can we?

Fortunately, my job allows me to bring fun into the community, lessons in just about anything and everything I can orchestrate. Bringing fun is my main hustle, and I couldn’t be better suited for it. I absolutely love seeing people come together, learn new skills, stay active, and enjoy themselves. My reward is paid handsomely in smiles… but there’s still so much more I want to create. My brain is full of ideas waiting in the wings.

Turning 61 this year, with countless friends already retired and many more retiring soon, I seem to be ramping up instead of winding down, with the (possibly unrealistic) goal of working another ten years, if I’m lucky. I suppose if hard work and having fun can truly merge, that’s the best of both worlds.

And maybe that’s the real answer to the question I started with, luck shows up when you keep showing up. If I can keep chasing ideas, sharing energy, and saying yes to new opportunities, I’ll consider myself pretty lucky indeed.

“Success is where preparation and opportunity meet.” ~ Bobby Unser