Lucky Roll

                                                                             Lucky Roll

        It's not all under your control...

        I believe in merit. Try as we might things are not promised. Life is unfair. The best we can do is give ourselves a better chance. The images that are projected to us are those of the successes. We don't get to see those who don't make it... We might think: oh we just do X or Y, and then we get Z. The successful people think this of themselves: I did X and Y, and I get Z! So why can't you?

        Genetics account for a large portion of your base intelligence. Genetics set you up for your health, athleticism, and attractiveness. Thanks mom and dad! Your genetics determine if you're more or less likely to develop many different illnesses over the course of your life.

        Where you were born sets you up for success or lack thereof. To paraphrase Scott Adams "go where there is more luck." You have a better chance of getting a job as an actor in New York City than you do in Utica. Nonetheless being born in a first world country vs a third world country makes a big difference. This often determines what kind of education you receive, which affects your prospects later in life. Though it appears statistically most people do not end up near where they were born.

        How you were raised both by your parents, as well as the culture that surrounds you has a profound effect on your development. A child that is raised by loving parents that gently challenge them sets a child up for much greater success than one who beats on the children or neglects them. Growing up in different countries or communities from individualist vs collectivist societies (to address one dimension of cultural difference) greater effects your outlook on your place in the world.

        There are random events that may occur such as a major injury, pregnancy, or addiction. Granted you have SOME agency in these happenings. There is also a genetic predisposition / sociocultural dimension to these which is a hard curveball to sidestep.

        There are people who are truly lazy, truly not trying. There are also many who are putting in the work. We live in a competitive society. Results are NOT promised. Which absolutely is to say we should try really hard! We should also respect the efforts of others, not just the outcome. You can absolutely improve things but there is a different between a person who starts life at negative four vs someone who starts at positive five.

        A little compassion, and a little humility make sense when we consider the reality.