I'm feeling lucky! tuah tuah tuah

Hello, fellow thinker!

As I reflect on the past few weeks, I am struck by how incredibly fortunate I’ve been. From winning a jackpot to experiencing a grand celebration, my recent trip to Cyprus has been filled with moments that remind me of the unpredictable nature of luck. Growing up with a very superstitious mother, I’ve always been taught to be cautious about celebrating my good fortune too openly. Just the mere mention of luck would require me to spit 3 times to the left to ward off any bad luck. This upbringing has instilled in me a sense of balance between expressing gratitude and remaining humble, knowing that bad things can happen, and the evil eye is always lurking.

With that said, I’m going to take a moment to “Hawk Tuah” 3 times to the left..

One particularly memorable evening in Cyprus, I found myself at a casino. The thrill of seeing the slot machine lights flash as I hit the jackpot was almost surreal. The next morning, I half-expected to wake up and find it was all a dream. But it wasn’t. While the winnings weren’t life-changing, they were enough to pay for many wonderful experiences during our two weeks in Cyprus. Winning the jackpot at the casino felt like a dream. The next day, I woke up and thought, "Did that really happen, or did I eat too much halloumi last night?" Thankfully, it wasn’t the cheese.

Another fortunate moment was witnessing the 50th anniversary celebration of North Cyprus Independence Day. Watching the grand display of national pride and power from the comfort of an air-conditioned balcony in a delicious restaurant was an unforgettable experience. Yet, it also served as a poignant reminder of the island’s complex history and divided perspectives. The energy and emotion of the celebration were palpable, but I remained aware of the delicate balance between celebration and caution.

Finding a parking spot during the celebration felt like a scene straight out of Seinfeld, reminiscent of George Costanza’s relentless pursuit of a parking space. This small stroke of luck was a testament to how sometimes, things just fall into place when you least expect them.

On our last day, we decided to make a homecooked meal and I ran to the supermarket to pick up milk among other things. I asked for cold milk in Turkish, practicing the language I’ve been learning. Though I have been using Duo Lingo to learn Turkish, my accent is still ever present. The storekeeper smiled and asked me, in English, where I was from. I paused for a moment and said, “America.” That was a moment I felt very proud and considered myself lucky to be an American. I got my cold milk and went back to our apartment.

Growing up superstitious, but now more selective about my beliefs, I still take great care to protect my luck. I’m cautious about how I speak of my fortunes, not out of fear but out of respect for the balance of life. Sharing these experiences isn’t about gloating but about expressing gratitude and recognizing that luck can be fleeting. It’s a reminder that no risk means no reward, and sometimes, you have to put yourself out there to create opportunities.

Reflecting on my journey to sobriety, I realize how fortunate I was to have a foundation like Dry January to lean on. In my very first letter of The SoberThinker, I talked about this practice and how it can help anyone considering quitting drinking. Establishing this habit provided the structure I needed to make a significant life change, proving that sometimes, we can create our own luck with the right practices and mindset.

I consider myself the luckiest man because I found my partner, Indira, who is the best thing that ever happened to me. Her presence in my life is a constant reminder of the incredible luck I’ve had in finding love and companionship.

As we packed up from Cyprus, instead of heading home, we continued our journey to Istanbul, Turkey. This was a unique experience for me, extending our holiday rather than concluding it. The joy of looking forward to a new destination, combined with the satisfaction of a memorable trip to Cyprus, filled me with immense gratitude. Our last night in Cyprus, watching an airshow with my family, was the perfect way to celebrate our good fortune together.

In closing, I urge you to recognize and cherish your own moments of luck. Be humble in your victories and resilient in tough times. Luck is a delicate balance, a blend of chance and preparedness, and it’s up to us to appreciate it when it comes our way.

Stay resilient, stay grateful, and until next time, take care.

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Keep thinking, my friends!

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