Those who have succeeded at anything and don't mention luck are

"Those who have succeeded at anything and don't mention luck are kidding themselves." Thus spoke Larry King, a man who, through decades of interviewing the mighty and the humble, came to know a profound truth about success. His words, though simple, strike with the force of ancient wisdom, reminding us that luck—that elusive, unseen force—plays a role in every triumph. To deny its influence is to turn a blind eye to the winds that propel us, or to pretend that the stars aligned purely by our own hand.

O Seekers, do not be deceived by the illusion that success is solely the product of willpower or merit. For luck is the unseen partner, the silent force that sometimes whispers through open doors or nudges a passing opportunity in our direction. Many men and women toil tirelessly, honing their craft, pursuing their dreams, only to see their efforts dashed by an unforeseen obstacle or a twist of fate. But there are those whose journey is guided not only by sweat and toil but by the hidden hands of fortune. To them, luck is no mere superstition—it is a truth that shapes destiny.

Think, O Children, of Christopher Columbus, the man who set sail with the conviction that he would find a new world. He sailed into the unknown, confident in his vision, but it was not only skill, nor courage, that led him to the shores of the Americas—it was luck. He was not the first to sail west, and many before him had failed. Yet fate, in its infinite mystery, led him to lands unknown to all, altering the course of history. Had he not encountered favorable winds or the vast ocean's currents, history may have forgotten his name. Luck, in this case, was the unseen hand guiding the journey.

Consider the tale of Marie Curie, the brilliant scientist who discovered the elements radium and polonium. Her success was not born solely of talent, nor of relentless work alone; it was also guided by an extraordinary luck—the serendipity of her discovery of radioactivity at the right time, when the world was primed for such revelations. Many scientists had worked before her, yet she was the one who unlocked the hidden forces of nature. Her success, like all successes, was shaped not only by skill but by the grace of a lucky alignment.

Do not mistake me, O Seekers: I do not speak of luck as a mere coin tossed by the gods, without rhyme or reason. Luck, in its truest sense, is the opportunity that arises when preparation meets chance. It is the alignment of effort and fortune, where a person's readiness allows them to grasp what might otherwise slip away. Luck is a partner to perseverance—it is not the sole creator of success, but it plays its role in opening doors that would otherwise remain shut.

Mark this, for it is of great importance: when you see a man or woman who has risen to greatness, do not be quick to believe that only their strength, their intellect, or their effort has carried them. For there is often a twist of luck—an unseen benefactor, a chance meeting, or a rare opportunity that was seized at the right moment. To deny this is to be blinded by pride, to believe that success is born purely of one's own hands. Luck must be acknowledged, for in its acknowledgment, we find humility and grace.

Lesson: The true teaching is clear: success is not solely the child of effort. It is born of the union between hard work and luck, that fleeting moment when the universe aligns in your favor. To deny the role of luck in your journey is to pretend that you stand alone in the universe, when in truth, you are carried by forces both seen and unseen. The wise man acknowledges luck with humility, knowing that their victory is not only the result of their hands but of the chance that the winds have been favorable.

Practical action: Reflect upon your own journey and ask yourself: What forces have helped you along the way? Have you been guided by a moment of luck that opened a door you were not expecting? Acknowledge these moments, for in doing so, you will cultivate gratitude and humility. Remember that your path, like all paths, is not only shaped by your will but by the winds of fortune that blow through the world. And in this understanding, you will find the true key to success—a balance of effort, humility, and the grace of luck.