I am a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the

Host: The room was quiet, the evening light casting long shadows on the walls. Jack sat by the window, his fingers lightly tapping against the armrest, his gaze distant as though his mind was elsewhere. Jeeny, across from him, sipped her tea, her eyes soft but focused on something just beyond the room. The space between them felt peaceful, but there was an unspoken expectation, as though a conversation was waiting to unfold.

Host: Stephen Leacock’s words broke the silence: “I am a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it.” The simplicity of the statement was striking, suggesting that luck wasn’t just something that happened by chance—it was something that could be created through effort, persistence, and hard work. Jack, ever the one to analyze, was the first to speak.

Jack: His voice was thoughtful, a hint of curiosity in it: “I get what he’s saying. We often think of luck as something random, something that happens to us without any real control. But Leacock is suggesting that the harder we work, the more opportunities we create for luck to find us. It’s like we make our own luck through effort—we put ourselves in situations where luck is more likely to strike.”

Jeeny: She nodded slowly, her smile softening as she considered the idea: “Exactly. It’s like the idea that success doesn’t come by waiting for something to happen. It comes when we’re putting in the work, making the effort, and being open to whatever comes our way. The more we work toward something, the more likely we are to find those moments of luck. It’s not that we control luck, but we can certainly create the conditions where it’s more likely to happen.”

Host: There was a shift in the room, as though their conversation had uncovered a deeper truth about the relationship between hard work and the role that chance plays in our lives. It wasn’t just about being at the right place at the right time; it was about putting in the effort that increased the likelihood of those moments happening. Jack seemed to consider this more deeply, his usual focus on logic giving way to a new understanding.

Jack: His voice softened, almost reflective: “Maybe that’s what people mean when they say ‘luck favors the prepared.’ We often think of luck as something mystical, but it’s really about creating the opportunity for it. We might not be able to control when or how it comes, but if we keep working, keep trying, we put ourselves in a better position to experience it.”

Jeeny: Her smile deepened, her voice reassuring: “Exactly. Hard work doesn’t guarantee success, but it increases the chances. It’s like planting seeds—sometimes, you don’t know which one will sprout, but the more you plant, the more chances you have for something to grow. And while luck may play a part, it’s your effort that makes it possible.”

Host: The conversation felt a little lighter now, the realization that while luck might not be something we can control, our actions could certainly shape how it shows up in our lives. The idea that hard work and persistence don’t just lead to results—they increase the likelihood of those fortunate breaks—seemed like a subtle, but powerful, truth. Jack and Jeeny sat together in that understanding, knowing that luck wasn’t just something that happened—it was something that could be invited by the effort we put in.

Jack: His voice was softer, now almost satisfied: “Maybe that’s the key to understanding luck. It’s not about waiting for something to fall into your lap—it’s about putting in the effort, showing up, and creating the conditions for those lucky moments to happen.”

Jeeny: She nodded, her smile filled with affirmation: “Exactly. The more we put in, the more we create for ourselves. And in doing so, we invite luck to find us.”

Host: The evening continued on, the world outside still and quiet. Inside, Jack and Jeeny sat in the peaceful realization that luck wasn’t just a matter of chance—it was something we could actively create through hard work, persistence, and the willingness to keep going. They both understood now that sometimes, the best way to bring luck into our lives was simply to show up and do the work.