Living Jewish in San Francisco: THE RABBI'S BLOGRabbi's Blog
Rabbi Joel Landau (rabbi@adathisraelsf.org) has been the Rabbi of Adath Israel since May 2013. He was ordained by the Chief Rabbinate in Jerusalem and has served previously as a congregational Rabbi in Charleston, South Carolina and Irvine, California. A full biography of Rabbi Landau is available here.
- Details
Why is it that some people seem to have all the luck? So is the lead for a new perspective on being lucky by Dr. Mark Banschick published in Psychology Today.
Banschick argues that lucky people aren't lucky, rather they live life in a certain way that makes them appear lucky. It would seem to me that several of the eight habits of people who make their own good luck relate in some way to our aspirations for leading a Jewish life. Please review the list and tell me if you agree.
Want to be lucky? Here are the eight habits:
1. Time: Lucky people don’t say; “Not today, there’s always another opportunity.” When opportunity knocks, answer!
2. Optimism: Lucky people engage opportunities with optimism and good will.
3. Openness: Lucky people are prepared to be in awe of the world. Breathe deep. Each moment is precious.
4. Generosity: Lucky people understand that sharing often makes for more good energy and more connections.
5. Flow: Lucky people are easy-going. They are ready for the unpredictable, the opposite of obsessive-compulsive.
6. Skill: Lucky people develop skills. Said pro golfer Gary Player, “The more I practice the luckier I get.” This is the opposite of flow, this is developing good habits.
7. Flow Again: Lucky people stay easy-going, even as they buckle-down and work on skills.
8. Going Home: Lucky people discern when to declare a bust or a wash.
Incidentally, the phrase mazel tov translates loosely into “good luck”. How can we make more mazel tov?
EVENTS
