I was asked the other day if I believe in luck.  A chance of fate, serendipity, a crazy random happenstance.  If I were to look back at this last year it would appear I’m fairly lucky.  But I choose to believe I’m blessed.  I don’t believe in luck.

Let me explain with a recent example.

With moving comes lots and lots of paperwork.  Piles of paperwork that fall off the coffee table while I franticly flip the pages for the right form or document.  If I didn’t have my new address and phone number memorized this was the perfect trial by fire filling  it in each time mumbling under my breath.

The problem is not in the filing out the forms; I’ve done it a million times before.  I begin to sweat at the thought of the DMV to apply for my license. 

You see, I don’t have a birth certificate. 

When instructed to bring my birth certificate to prove my citizenship I can’t.  I don’t have one.  I was born on a military base and have a Dependent Born Abroad Certificate. 

In the past I’d pour over the paperwork to find instructions for me and there aren’t any.  I’m not a naturalized citizen, I don’t have a green card, and there is no copy of a traditional birth certificate.  I’d warily call the hotline and confuse someone else more than myself.  I’ve learned to take a deep breath and head out to the office prepared with my long explanation.

Not sounding too lucky to me.  Yet each time I step up to the counter after many questions about the validity of my certificate I finally get a pass.  Not that I blame the clerk…crazy military money saving efforts resulted in it being printed on the back of a French map.  Thank you Department of Defense.

While the clerk shuffles papers and clicks away on just the right keys I’m asked a million questions about Germany and the other countries I’ve called home.  I tell a few stories of my childhood learning about monks and pretzels as we smelled them baking fresh, or walking my first 5k long before I knew I would want to run a 5k.  I got a candy dish as a prize…American 5k’s should think about that.

And then I hear those 4 words, “You are so lucky.”  Lucky I traveled as a child.  Lucky to travel at all.  Lucky to live with history and not just learn about it.  I squirm and say, “Thank you. I’m blessed.” 

You see, I don’t believe in luck.  I believe in taking advantage of all the opportunities presented.  I was blessed to travel as a child filling my memory with stories and sights.  But those experiences came as a result of my father’s hard work serving our country in the Army.  When told I’m lucky I remember the quote, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”  I’ve been blessed with many opportunities and I’m grateful.

Lucky would be finding a pot of gold at the bottom of a rainbow…or maybe I practiced how to find it by watching a lot of Lucky Charms commercials…who knows.

Last Week’s Goals

• Blog updating.  It’s insane I enjoy picking apart HTML in my spare time.  But it’s learning a new skill and challenging myself to do something outside my comfort zone.  And now I’m glad I’ve done some of it before Fitbloggin’.
• Vacation planning.  Half done.  Outfits thought out and I need to narrow it down so I don’t pack my entire closet.  And I have plans for snacks but would eat them all if I bought them now.  Most of all I’m excited for vacation and relaxing.
• Work it out.  It’s not entirely my fault this week was tough.  Monday was a holiday and surprisingly no gym was open.  Friday I missed Aqua Zumba because it’s been 8 years since I’ve navigated a college campus trying to find the pool and Saturday the instructor never showed.  But I did fit in other things…including breaking out my Zumba workout games.
• Inventory the kitchen.  Hmmm, no. I realized vacation was coming and this was a strange idea.  Instead I’m only buying fresh stuff this week and cooking with what we have.  I’ll save the inventory for when I come back.
• Finish my book.  Two CD’s away from finishing.  I guess I didn’t have as much driving as I thought.  It was nice to “read” instead of listening to the same songs played over and over on the radio.

This Week’s Goals

• Work out.  I’m not setting a number because this week is insane at work.  But I know working out will relieve stress so I want to fit it in even if it’s only once.
• Pack it twice.  I have a work trip right before vacation.  I need to pack for both.  Luckily work is only for the weekend and is easy to pack.  And I have my plan for vacation packing.  It will fit into on bag so I don’t have to drag too much luggage through the hotel for Fitbloggin’.
• Track my food.  I’ve been paying more attention to what I eat and how much lately.  I have been using the Lose It app and enjoy the ease.  This busy week it is important to maintain that for my sanity.
• Sleep despite stress.  This week is full of stress and that usually means no sleep.  But with all I have at the end of the week it’s important to sleep.  I have Tylenol PM set aside for help if needed.