Letter from the editor
I’ve always heard about the luck of the Irish, but if that’s a real thing, I must have missed my share. Despite my Irish roots—and even finding a four-leaf clover as a child, a supposed symbol of good fortune—I’ve never felt particularly lucky. If anything, I’ve spent much of my life convinced that if I had any luck at all, it was the bad kind.
Take, for example, a frigid winter morning in the early 2000s. I was driving my blue minivan to work in a mix of sleet and snow when I stopped to pay the toll before crossing the Parkway Bridge. As I rolled down my window, it got stuck. No amount of coaxing or button pressing would make it budge. So, what could I do? I drove the rest of the way with an open window, icy wind and precipitation whipping through my car. By the time I arrived at work, icicles clung to my hair and lips. “Why couldn’t the window get stuck on a sunny day?” I muttered to myself. That day only reinforced what I had long suspected: luck was not on my side.
Growing up, I watched other people win raffles, door prizes, and free vacations. I’d eagerly fill out contest entries and cross my fingers, only to walk away empty-handed time after time. Meanwhile, some people seem to have a natural knack for stumbling into good fortune—winning jackpots, landing dream jobs through a chance encounter, or simply being in the right place at the right time.
Living in South Jersey, I’ve had a front-row seat to the gambling culture that thrives in Atlantic City. The bright lights of the casinos and the constant hum of slot machines are daily reminders that while some people do seem to be born lucky, fortune is only a small part of the picture.
Over the years, I’ve come to realize that luck can sometimes give a fleeting boost, but it isn’t the driving force behind a good life. We often hear stories of lottery winners who, after an initial wave of excitement, find themselves right back where they started—or worse—because luck alone wasn’t enough to sustain them. Far too often, those who chase a lucky break make hasty decisions or rely on chance instead of planning for the future.
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned that true success is rarely a product of luck alone. Instead, it’s built on the choices we make, the work we put in, and the determination we carry with us every day. Hard work, perseverance, and consistency hold far more sway than any roll of the dice ever could. The biggest wins in life—whether in relationships, careers, or personal growth—are earned, not stumbled upon by chance.
That’s not to say I don’t appreciate the occasional stroke of good fortune. Finding a twenty-dollar bill in an old coat pocket or catching a stunning sunset at just the right moment are small, unexpected joys. But I no longer sit around waiting for luck to change my life. Instead, I believe in forging my own path, making intentional choices, and working toward the things that matter most.
So, while I may have Irish heritage and a childhood memory of a four-leaf clover, I’ve come to understand that luck has never been—and isn’t—the secret ingredient for a fulfilling life. The real magic lies in the resilience to keep going, the courage to take risks, and the wisdom to appreciate the journey.
Wishing you good luck and sunny spring days. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Peace & Love,
Cindy
