July 31, 2012

"Fortuna Caeca Est".

Fortune Is Blind
The above sentence is carved onto a stone wall in old Roman style letters above a tunnel high in the Austrian Alps. It was suddenly in my view, as my family traveled south one summer when I was a teenager and I glanced at it at the very moment the car entered the tunnel. The sentence immediately peeked my curiosity, thus I scribbled down the words on a piece of paper, to later enter them in my journal. The one where I wrote interesting quotes and book excerpts, in order not to forget them.
It was first many years later that I learned the meaning of the Latin words:  

Fortune Is Blind.

Luck is a funny thing and already the ancient philosophers shared many ideas on how it impacts our lives. I know that I myself have had my share of both the good and the bad, but whether that was a product of luck I am not certain.

My Lucky Charm
When I felt the least fortunate, I recall feeling very lonely in my pain and predicament. I believe loneliness must be one of the most difficult ordeals in the life of humans. In my perception, it comes as a close second to the most devastating predicament one can be subjected to - ailing health, ours or someone we love.
I rather be poor than lonely. I rather be unsuccessful and miserable in any other way imaginable, as long as I am not alone. The idea of prolonged loneliness that I was facing once in my past used to haunt me even though I would choose solitude every time, rather than the company of someone I did not care for.

One of the most appealing aspect of life is that it can surprise us at at any moment, as the dices of our destiny are thrown. In just one year did I not only meet the love of my life, but I also gained the love of his adorable children and his extended family. As if by a stroke of incredible luck I was suddenly granted an honest affection from extraordinary people, dispersing the fears that once used to envelop me.

My Charm Bracelet
Meeting my extended family for the very first time reinforced in me the idea of reincarnation and having lived before. It felt like coming home - in the most literal way possible, like I never felt before. Even though at first glance I am easy going, open and tolerant, there are very few people that I genuinely feel comfortable with. Yet, when I am with my husband and his family, it feels as if I am exactly where I am suppose to be - in fact it feels like it has always been this way, for much longer then a year.
Sadly, I will never get to know the woman that bore the man I love, as she is long gone, but I am fortunate enough to have spend many wonderful moments in the company of my father in law.
The father of my husband is a special man and I can clearly see where my soul-mate gets his manners and admirable traits. He is humble and yet jovial with a life enforcing conduct and an aura of incredible familiarity.

Recently, my father in law send me a lovely birthday card, a greeting filled with words that I will never forget. Yet most of all, it will remain forever in my recollection for the gift that followed the card.
He send me a lucky clover.
A simple, yet rare plant, which he collected on one of his recent morning walks. It was pressed and meticulously taped onto the side of the card, accompanying his inner hopes for my good luck... A priceless and most memorable gift I have received to date.

My Lucky Clover
I have waited a long time and had to endure rough times before I found my share of good luck that has been infusing my life for the past year. At times I wonder what exactly have I done to deserve such good fortune as I know from experiences that nothing good last for ever and bad things happen to good people.

Ultimately though I have always believed that we are the creators of our own luck. It does not come from amulets and charms, but from our beliefs and our conduct, our hopes, our love and our longing. It is the state of our mind and the way we view life.
Good fortune is a product of hard work and endless perseverance and will smile at us as long we believe in it's charm, but never rely on its presence.

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a lovely gesture from your father-in-law.

We make our own fortune - or that's what I believe.

Myrna R. said...

Zuzana, what a lovely post. Your words are so full of truth. I remember feeling so lonely, as a teen. Perhaps, that is the worst feeling one can have because we are intended to be social, to love and feel loved. So glad that your perseverance led to good fortune. And may your loving good fortune be eternal.

JDC said...

Ohhh a real four leaf clover? The photo looks a bit like cardboard.

Brian Miller said...

smiles...the joy of life is that it turns at any moment...if luck is no good, it may soon be...there is little constant...though, there are those things we hope last...i am glad you have found your family and they you...

A Lady's Life said...

What a wonderful Fatherinlaw you have.
He seems to understand you and welcomes you and loves you.
You really do seem to be in a good place surrounded by people who love you. So now you have more to treasure and love as well and it's a lot more fun this way.
:)

Ruby said...

A very beautiful piece of writing Zuzanna. It is great to have some luck and hope :) xoxo Ruby

Julie Hibbard said...

The harder you work, the luckier you get! You've been persistent and resilient and deserve all the good that life has to offer!

Rahul Bhatia said...

May the lucky clover bring more cheer and happiness in your life, Zuzana! There is nothing like enjoying the love of someone close to you:)

SandyCarlson said...

That is a sweet and beautiful gesture. Your luck charms are wonderful. Mine are turtles. Because luck is blind, the little turtle around my neck is an anchor home.

sprinkles said...

I hope you had a very happy birthday. It's too bad you weren't able to spend it with your new husband, but I hope it was still lovely.

What a sweet gesture from your father in law!

I'd like to believe in reincarnation too.

Rajesh said...

Wonderful post with interesting events from your life.
Other idiom is "Fortune favors the brave".

Unknown said...

Hi Zuzana: What a nice summertime post! xoxoxo! :)

Hilary said...

Very nicely said, Zuzana. I'm so happy that you've found not just a partner but a family. That makes all the difference in the world.

Jill from Killeny Glen said...

Finding your PLACE is huge...and although we cannot "count on" all things to continue...we MUST enjoy them while they are here...and be thankful.
Wise words as usual sweet Zuzana!

Anonymous said...

I love the little four leaf clover - so sweet.
Coming from a large, loving family and then getting married and having children myself, my biggest fear was to find myself alone one day. And I used to believe that I made my own luck, but that changed over the past decade - there is something greater guiding and helping us along. I didn't truly believe this until I experienced it first-hand. And now that I know this, I don't think I'll ever feel alone again.
I am so glad that you have found your love, and that his family welcomes you with open arms, Zuzana!
Hugs,
Zuzu

Anonymous said...

Beautiful post, Zuzana. And isn't it true that the rough times make you truly appreciate the good ones. What a sweet and thoughtful gift from your father-in-law! So glad you shared this!

A Plain Observer said...

this post resonates with me. I like this: 'I would choose solitude every time, rather than the company of someone I did not care for."
I, too, suffer from feelings of loneliness although I appreciate and enjoy solitude. I am yet to find out what injects that feeling in me or better yet, where it emanates from. Maybe one day I will figure it out and then I'll be able to get rid of it

Sandi McBride said...

a happy belated birthday Zu and
lucky girl you to receive the help of the 4 leaf clover, I have found that not not only is dame fortune blind she is often a prejudicial bitch lol...hold onto that clover with all your lucky fingers! I'm playing catch up now that I am allowed to upright 2 hours bid post surgery...enjoying catching up with you
hugs
Sandi

steviewren said...

Very heartfelt and sweet words you've written here. I'm sure your new family feels the same about you and those feelings of belonging together enabled them to envelope you into their family so seamlessly. You are blessed!

Amanda Summer said...

i agree with you, zuzana - luck is something we participate in bringing into our lives.

thank you for this lesson, and for sharing your lucky charms.

xoxo
amanda

Donna said...

A beautiful post, Zuzana. More reason to enjoy the good while we have it and when we have it. Your father in law sounds very sweet.

hugs

Reading Tea Leaves said...

I agree with you on your thoughts on luck and fortune Zuzana.

Your new family sound wonderful and a hand-made card means so much.

What an amazing year you have had!

Jeanne
x

Christmas-etc... said...

A four leaf clover! I can't say that I have ever actually found one!
Hope your summer is going well!
Ann

lilybets said...

Fortune is something magical,it depends by the love you receive from others..somethimes is right,often not.People around you can love you or hate you, blessing you or doing the reverse things...what we can do is to treat them with love and hope that God will take care of us.Blessings to you my friend!

Sumandebray said...

life is so full of surprises and mysteries more than anything else.
One moment we think that life is under our control and the very next moment we are proven wrong.
I find the only way to attain happiness is to cherish everything that comes our way and love them even if we don't like those....
Be happy