My friend Chase Runnels, who these days is an entrepreneur and someone very interested in positive psychology and happiness research, shares this quote. Emerson’s language was a little high-flown even back in his day, but the principle still holds true:
So use all that is called Fortune. Most men gamble with her, and gain all, and lose all, as her wheel rolls. But do thou leave as unlawful these winnings, and deal with Cause and Effect, the chancellors of God. Nothing can bring you peace but yourself. Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of principles. ~Emerson
I think this is a good way of reconciling the reality that time and chance sometimes work in our favor with the bigger picture that Stephen Covey calls the “Law of the Farm.” Ultimately success depends not on taking advantage of fickle circumstances, but of consistently following the principles of cause and effect that bring results regardless of luck.
Needless to say this is particularly true for those who work in international and cross-cultural settings, where circumstances often are so unpredictable and dynamic that the only logical responses are either to surrender to luck or to be so consistant and principled that good results emerge no matter what.
You can find out more about Chase’s various creative and business activities and the events he organizes in the Los Angeles area here
Luck versus principles
My friend Chase Runnels, who these days is an entrepreneur and someone very interested in positive psychology and happiness research, shares this quote. Emerson’s language was a little high-flown even back in his day, but the principle still holds true:
I think this is a good way of reconciling the reality that time and chance sometimes work in our favor with the bigger picture that Stephen Covey calls the “Law of the Farm.” Ultimately success depends not on taking advantage of fickle circumstances, but of consistently following the principles of cause and effect that bring results regardless of luck.
Needless to say this is particularly true for those who work in international and cross-cultural settings, where circumstances often are so unpredictable and dynamic that the only logical responses are either to surrender to luck or to be so consistant and principled that good results emerge no matter what.
You can find out more about Chase’s various creative and business activities and the events he organizes in the Los Angeles area here