[skookumchuck]

> But I also believe that anyone else with my circumstances would have nearly identical results.

Then there was no need for you to make any effort. After all, success just dropped on your head.

You say you were "lucky" to be "conditioned to work hard"? I find such statements astonishing. Anyone can work hard, or not. It's a choice. Nobody is "victimized" by laziness. Jeez. How far will people go with excuses?

By the way, people who find themselves in a terrible situation, like war came and the food supply is gone, seem to discover in themselves a fine capability for hard work.

[raleec]

Imagine for a second, that you managed to convince me that I am truly the master of my destiny, as are we all.

Wouldn't I then be lucky that we were both in this forum at this time?

We'd be so fortunate that you didn't get into a car accident yesterday that would have prevented my epiphany...

that you weren't abducted as an infant and never seen from again....

That your parents were together that fateful moment...

or maybe I misunderstand?

[skookumchuck]

> Wouldn't I then be lucky that we were both in this forum at this time?

As I stated earlier, every detail of one's life is luck, but one chooses to position oneself in situations where one is likely to get lucky.

As for our interactions, I'm not saying anything unique that you cannot find in plenty of other places if you choose to look. If you are out looking, it's highly unlikely you won't run across my views.

In my life, I see people choosing to fail all the time, and they always claim to be victims. I also know many who take responsibility for things that happen to them, the good and the bad. It's empowering for them, as when bad things happen they pick themselves up, figure out what they did wrong, and try to choose better next time.

Do you have a plan for success? Are you executing that plan? If you don't have a plan, or don't execute your plan, how do you expect to succeed?