The Difference Between Being Lucky and Being Fortunate

 


Have you ever caught yourself saying, “I’m so lucky,” or telling your kids, “Do you know how lucky you are?” I used to say that all the time—until I realized that luck really had nothing to do with it.

To me, luck implies randomness, just happening by chance or due to factors outside our control. But when I pause and really think about my life, it’s not luck that I have a career I enjoy, or that I can take vacations with my family, or that I live in a home that brings me peace. None of that just happened. I’ve worked hard, made sacrifices, made intentional decisions, and kept showing up, even when it wasn’t easy.

So, I’ve made a small but powerful shift in my language. When someone says, “You’re lucky to have a job you love” or “It must be nice to get away,” I respond with:
“Yes I am fortunate.”

To me, being fortunate is the result of intention. It’s the outcome of choices, consistent effort, and sometimes, a whole lot of persistence.

This doesn’t mean everything is perfect. I still have problems. I still have hard days. But when I zoom out, I see how much there is to be grateful for, and I give myself credit for the part I played in building this life.

So today, I invite you to look around and acknowledge what you have created. You’re not just lucky—you’re intentional, resilient, and yes, fortunate.


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