We want to believe that we write our own life stories, and in many ways, we do, but there
are also other factors and forces at play. Some of them known and some unknown, some
that can be understood and others that are mysteries.
Luck isn’t just some magical force that only shines down on select people. It doesn’t
require a magic wand, a lottery ticket or even good karma to be lucky. Fortune is created
by hard work, dedication and passion and it’s up to every person to make his or her own.
Some events and outcomes in life, perhaps even most of them, can be attributed to internal
influences like the choices we make and how hard we work. But there are other
outcomes and events in life that can clearly be attributed to external influences, like a
natural disaster or another person’s choices.
It’s these external, unpredictable, unstable, uncontrollable forces that can deliver crushing
blows. We don’t like to think of luck as a factor. It goes against our illusion of control.
What is luck? We use words and we assume we know what they mean, but we all define
them in our own way. Luck is generally considered to be an outcome that is brought on
by chance rather than one’s own actions and efforts.
It seems like some people have all the luck. Do you want to learn some ways to improve
your luck as an artist and be one of them?
Take some time to set up your work area. Is everything placed comfortably and within
reach? Are your supplies organized? Do you have a clean work area set up, free of clutter?
Is there adequate lighting? Heat in winter or air conditioning in summer? Have you
had adequate rest and something to eat? These considerations are some ways to prepare
when inspiration, good fortune, and the elusive happy accident unexpectedly strike. You
can create luck in your artistic practice and in your life by being prepared!
Art exercise: Drop pieces of string or torn paper on a piece of paper or artist canvas.
Notice the shapes and abstract designs they create. Push them around until a pleasing
arrangement is achieved. Collage, add color, and use lines to make a piece of expressive
abstract art (faces, animals, and landscapes are acceptable too). You've now used the laws of
chance and luck to make art! How does this relate to your personal wellness? What areas
of life can be left to chance and what areas need patient exercise of care, planning, and
control. Share your art and discuss your experience as a group.
are also other factors and forces at play. Some of them known and some unknown, some
that can be understood and others that are mysteries.
Luck isn’t just some magical force that only shines down on select people. It doesn’t
require a magic wand, a lottery ticket or even good karma to be lucky. Fortune is created
by hard work, dedication and passion and it’s up to every person to make his or her own.
Some events and outcomes in life, perhaps even most of them, can be attributed to internal
influences like the choices we make and how hard we work. But there are other
outcomes and events in life that can clearly be attributed to external influences, like a
natural disaster or another person’s choices.
It’s these external, unpredictable, unstable, uncontrollable forces that can deliver crushing
blows. We don’t like to think of luck as a factor. It goes against our illusion of control.
What is luck? We use words and we assume we know what they mean, but we all define
them in our own way. Luck is generally considered to be an outcome that is brought on
by chance rather than one’s own actions and efforts.
It seems like some people have all the luck. Do you want to learn some ways to improve
your luck as an artist and be one of them?
Take some time to set up your work area. Is everything placed comfortably and within
reach? Are your supplies organized? Do you have a clean work area set up, free of clutter?
Is there adequate lighting? Heat in winter or air conditioning in summer? Have you
had adequate rest and something to eat? These considerations are some ways to prepare
when inspiration, good fortune, and the elusive happy accident unexpectedly strike. You
can create luck in your artistic practice and in your life by being prepared!
Art exercise: Drop pieces of string or torn paper on a piece of paper or artist canvas.
Notice the shapes and abstract designs they create. Push them around until a pleasing
arrangement is achieved. Collage, add color, and use lines to make a piece of expressive
abstract art (faces, animals, and landscapes are acceptable too). You've now used the laws of
chance and luck to make art! How does this relate to your personal wellness? What areas
of life can be left to chance and what areas need patient exercise of care, planning, and
control. Share your art and discuss your experience as a group.
