SON PAUL – LUCK OR WHAT? 

To our son Paul -- Your remark that you and John Travolta were born on the same day and how your life compared with his made me think about this. You said that he must have been luckier than you. Perhaps so, I don’t know much about his life, but I really wonder if luck was what led to the success he has today. I understand that he was born into a talented musical family that helped get him started. He had a serious setback in his career in the 80s where the media relegated him to the trash heap. He worked very hard to overcome this and get back on top. I know something about the lives of others who have achieved a degree of success. Arnold Palmer didn’t get to be the most followed golfer in his era by anything but hard work. He worked every day to improve his game. Dwight Eisenhower’s father abandoned his pregnant wife just before he was born. They struggled to make a living on a farm. His rise to becoming Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in WWII and later President was not luck. He worked very hard and used all his skills, and was also a planner.

In my case, while I have achieved nowhere near what these men and so many others have, my life, I think, has been a success. My luck (God’s gift) was being born in a country of opportunity, to caring parents who were poor in material things but rich in the way they conducted their lives and in how they gave me confidence. Another luck was in meeting your Mother. She has been a great helpmate and influence in my life. Without her, I could not have done what I did. Everything else that happened to me was the result of planning and hard work, skills given to me by the grace of God. I have written a story of all of this if you care to read it sometime.

For you, take a look at what you have today. You have a nice home, the cars you want. You had a great experience with your fine boat, a Sonar. You have the job you want and seem to be happy. Therefore, to me, you have achieved success. Think how these material things came about. Was it luck? I don’t think so. I am sure it was a combination of planning for them, hard work, and using the intelligence you were born with and the judgment you acquired over the years. Even the setback you had with an illness, you overcame through shear persistence and undoubtedly the desire to do so. Was this luck? Again I don’t think so.

I gave you a book by Dr. Wayne Dyer, “Real Magic”. Part of his theme is that you make your own luck. I recommend that you read it. I still recommend this book for peace of mind, better mental and physical health, and building a very positive outlook He offers a rich lode of ideas that help. I suggest that you scan these pages and then absorb what seems most relevant to you.

Your Dad, who always cares about your welfare and happiness, as does your Mom.

11/06/2003