Someone cuts you off in traffic, you get stuck behind the person with 30 items in the 10 items or less line, your hair dryer fails in the middle of your blow-dry, the cat throws up on your favorite shirt, and every time you say to yourself, gritting your teeth through it all, “Yup, just my luck.”
You say the same thing when your flight is delayed, or your luggage lost, or your supposed new boy/girlfriend forgets you exist – the list goes on.
You never say, “Just my luck” when the traffic flows freely and easily, the cashier opens a new line up just for you, your blow-dry is impeccable, and your cat uses the litter box for its intended use. Yet, you could. After all, why does “Just my luck” have to be said only of negative events?
Why not turn it on its head and make it your happy go-to for when things do go your way?
Because I guarantee, if you’re still walking on this planet, that most things go your way. The sun rises and sets right on cue, you wake up and get your coffee/tea to face the day. You may not have your ideal job, but you have work or you can figure out a way to get some. You may not have your ideal mate, or for that matter any mate, but somewhere in your life there is someone (or some pet) that loves you. You do have “luck,” which in this regard, is simply a short form for “things to be grateful for.”
Why not go for it? Why not start noticing all the “lucky” things that happen to you every single day, and say “Just my luck” with a smile? You just might get even--luckier.
About Dr. Noelle Nelson
Noelle C. Nelson, Ph.D. is an internationally respected psychologist, author and seminar leader. She believes that we can accomplish great things, whether in business, at work or at home, when we connect with the value in ourselves and in others.
As a relationship expert, Dr. Nelson has empowered countless individuals to be happier, healthier and more successful at work, at home and in relationships. Dr. Nelson's popular monthly newsletter, "A Note From Dr. Noelle Nelson," and her book, The Power of Appreciation : The Key to a Vibrant Life (Beyond Words Publishing) give readers the skills to use appreciation's powerful energy to improve their lives. Dr. Nelson is also the author of Happy Healthy...Dead: Why What You Think You Know About Aging Is Wrong and How To Get It Right (MindLab Publishing), Your Man is Wonderful (Free Press), Everyday Miracles (Prentice Hall Press), Winner Takes All (Perseus Publishing) and the best-selling Dangerous Relationships: How to Identify and Respond to the Seven Warning Signs of a Troubled Relationship (De Capo Press).
Dr. Nelson has appeared on national and international radio and television including CBS's "The Early Show," ABC's "The View," Better TV, Fox News and CNN. She has been interviewed, quoted or written about in such diverse publications as Entrepreneur Magazine, HR Magazine, Family Business, Inc., People, Cosmo, Woman’s World, Investor's Business Daily, Bottom Line/Personal and the Los Angeles Times. Dr. Nelson has spoken on the subject of appreciation before audiences in the U.S., Canada, England, The Netherlands and Australia.
Dr. Nelson holds advanced degrees in clinical psychology from the United States International University (M.S., Ph.D.) and sociology degrees from the University of California at Los Angeles (B.A.) and the Sorbonne, Paris (Maitrise, Doctorat 3eme Cycle). She is a member of the National Honor Society of Psychology, the American Society of Trial Consultants and the American Psychological Association.
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