[jeremysmyth]

When people tell me I'm lucky, I take it as a compliment they didn't intend. One of the marks of quality of execution is making something difficult look easy, and something complex look simple.

"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity," said Seneca, a first century dramatist and philosopher. "It takes twenty years to become an overnight success," said Eddie Cantor, a performer.

When you're doing all of your paddling under the water and all anyone else can see is graceful movement, you're doing something right. Some people might call it luck if they know no better; when they do I call that a compliment.