chance has no memory

A professor in my Genomics class said this. He was referring to hereditary probabilities but when I heard it, my mind wandered. Is it better to be lucky or good? Images from 2010's best worst week thus far floated around my head.

Gasparilla Gone Bad. Unnecessary, sporadic arrests. And this is where my taxes go?

By chance, I was rear ended. By chance, I was handed two tickets by a generous officer for going with the flow of traffic. By chance I drove two hours to watch a space shuttle not lift off - all within days.

But also by chance, I have friends, family, and food that make life a bit sweeter. And I'll be chillaxing in the Empire State next week. Perhaps freezing is more appropriate. It will be a damn good time regardless. Luckily overall, I have been, and I hope to remain, lucky my entire life.

The man who said "I'd rather be lucky than good" saw deeply into life. People are afraid to face how great a part of life is dependent on luck. It's scary to think so much is out of one's control. There are moments in a match when the ball hits the top of the net and for a split second it can either go forward or fall back. With a little luck it goes forward and you win. Or maybe it doesn't and you lose.
- Match Point

I like the movie and the quote. I don't think it's scary though. Not having full control over how the ball falls makes things fun. Embrace uncertainty, it's one of the few things promised to us. Whichever way the ball falls, be happy to have played. Life's short. Ulcers suck. Let that which does not matter slide and you will be one step closer to tranquility.