Luck

I've long loved a quote I originally found attributed to Shiller, but have subsequently found as Louis Pasteur's (though "favor" replaces "luck") - "Luck favors the prepared mind."  It so inspired me that I created and framed this counted cross stitch quote.

Years have unfolded and I've created my own version - "Luck favors the curious, optimistic, caring and prepared!".

Just Enough

Over a year ago I purchased special note cards to present lucky pennies, without a plan for their deployment.  I'd also procured glue dots for my lucky penny experiment, and used most of them.  This past week, I found the perfect deployment for 24 messages of luck and love.  Unbelievably, I had just enough cards, glue dots and shiny lucky pennies (I still have a supply of non-shiny lucky pennies).

So often, we worry about supply.  It thrills me when just enough is perfect!

Lucky Dog!

We had a fabulous D.C. weekend with precious Julia and her wonderful friends!  After a fun-filled afternoon, we gave her the valet ticket to claim our rental car.  A gust of wind sent the ticket flying, precariously close to a sidewalk grate.  Fortunately, a very well-behaved dog caught the ticket in her mouth.  Her understanding companion gently coaxed the unmarred ticket from his furry friend.

I can't imagine trying to tell the valet that a dog or grate ate our ticket, and all we knew was the color and kind of rental car that had an unidentified Maryland license plate. 

It's great to be and encounter lucky dogs!

Lucky Penny Experiment Results

Many thanks to all who have spread good luck to others!  Though other lucky pennies may still be returned, it's exciting to know that 141 people in 16 states and 2 non-U.S. countries have shared good wishes for great luck in the Lucky Penny Experiment. 

One recipient included a wonderful affirmation for the project:
"May you never fail to express all of the wild and wondrous things you are.  Have only one rule: Be your wild, courageous, brilliant self every single day.  No matter what."

Only one lucky penny broke through the envelope, and landed who knows where, rather than arriving safely back to be redeployed.

And the good wishes will continue as I share the cancelled Toy Story stamps on the returned cards to enhance my friend's stamp collection.

Lucky Penny Experiment is Working

With three weeks to go, the last lucky penny in the experiment was shared today and the first lucky penny made it back from a friend unmet in Portland, OR.  It traveled from Houston to Austin to Denver to Portland, hopefully spreading happy cheer across the country.

Many thanks for the positive, encouraging feedback and for enthusiastically sharing good luck and great cheer with others.

We all need encouragement and my hopes are that this little experiment will touch several lives as the luck is passed from friend to friend.

Pennies are Lucky

Early "Lucky Penny Experiment" feedback indicates that found coins are indeed lucky.  One recipient shared that each time she's found a coin, she's made a sale.  Another recipient shared that she routinely passed along her grandfather's habit of leaving discovered "heads up" pennies to share the luck with the next finder. And one special recipient is exploring medical treatment options and appreciated yet another display of good wishes.

Thanks to all who are sharing good luck and supporting friends and strangers.

Lucky Penny Experiment

Since childhood, I've been fascinated with lucky pennies - "Find a penny, pick it up and all the day you'll have good luck."  And it's fun to pass the luck along to a friend.  One morning this week during a run, the idea for the Lucky Penny Experiment was born.  Finding a lucky penny near the conclusion of the run spurred me to action. Finding the perfect card this morning to present the lucky pennies was another exciting motivator.

The concept is simple.  The recipient of a lucky penny card is asked to sign his/her first name, city and state, then pass it on to another lucky and willing person.  Whoever has a card on August 15 is asked to drop the card in the stamped, addressed envelope in the mail.

I plan to be share penny adventures as feedback is received and when cards are ultimately returned in mid-August.  Blog comments are encouraged!

Looking forward to sharing:

• how many cards make it back home
• stories of days brightened
• the luckiest penny - based upon how many people shared the luck and signed the card
• the most traveled pennies - how far from home and how many destinations
• the most interesting story 
• if any penny became famous by association

Wishing everyone great luck!

Lucky!

My dear friend Liz rescued a lost dog who burrowed into her fenced backyard nearly two weeks ago.  She was accustomed to hearing her neighbor's large dogs, but a different bark attracted her attention.  A small, polite dog was most appreciative that Liz recognized his presence.  She welcomed him into her home and found no identification.  Though she's not a pet owner, she promptly made provisions for her new friend.  She quickly posted fliers for all neighbors to see.  As she continued to nurture this waif without response, I told her that she should name this most fortunate stranger Lucky.

Liz nurtured this lucky dog while trying to find his family.  After the first several days, she tried many times to place him in a rescue facility. Thankfully for Lucky, but unfortunately for our community's many abandoned animals, there were no available shelters.

After nearly two weeks, Liz received the anticipated call to claim the dog.  Fortunately for the owner, none of the many facilities Liz contacted during the past two weeks could accept another dog.  This lucky dog was one "yes we can take him" away from being removed from Liz's loving home and potentially permanently separated from his family.

I was thrilled when Liz told me this morning that this lucky dog and his family would be reunited.  I was blown away when she confirmed that his name is Lucky.

Lucky Penny

I was leaving an event with a colleague when I spotted a penny.  As I leaned over to get it, I said the phrase that I've known forever, "Find a penny, pick it up and all the day you'll have good luck".  My contemporary knew that pennies were lucky, but had never heard the saying. 

The found penny to me is illustrative of seizing opportunities at our fingertips.  When we are alert, receptive, expectant and optimistic, we are able to seize the opportunities that others overlook.

Happy Birthday Mama

In so many ways I am the luckiest person on the planet.  My wonderfully supportive parents have been married for 54 years.  They raised me in a Christian home, inspiring my brothers and me to always do our best, be our best, pursue our passions and treat others as we would like to be treated. 

As I've indicated so many times, Mama, is an incredible spouse, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, role model and advisor.

Mama is the person so many of us aspire to be. 

Happy, Happy Birthday to my role model!

All my love,
Pam

Luck

One of my favorite quotes has always been, "Luck favors the prepared mind". I appreciated the quote long before I knew to credit it to Louis Pasteur.  How fortunate we are that Pasteur applied his remarkable ability to develop pasteurization of milk and the first rabies vaccine.  Regardless of our skills, passions and abilities, our chances of success improve greatly when we are mentally prepared to address a challenge.