Finding Luck:The Secrets of Science

McKenna JensenCampus News EditorScience teaches us that all events fall under one of two categories: being controlled by the laws of the universe or occurring as a result of chance.There are certain laws that explain the way the universe is governed. These include gravitational pull and why color is perceived instead of black and white. When there is no scientific explanation, events are labeled as chance.According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, chance is an unpredictable occurrence that happens without an observable cause.The concept of chance is what humans credit as “luck,” or the belief that success or failure comes about as a result of chance rather than one’s actions. However, luck does not truly exist outside the mind. This being true, what is perceived as luck can be influenced by a state of mind.Psychologist Richard Wiseman devotes his career to studying luck, conducting experiments to test its relation to the Law of Attraction. Through one of his studies, Wiseman found that people are able to increase their chances of having a “lucky” or a positive day if they make a conscious effort and keep an optimistic outlook on life.The Law of Attraction states that “like attracts like.” This idea is the basis of the search for the science behind luck. Those who think positively, take initiative, are enthusiastic and confidant are likely to attract ‘good luck’ in their lives, whereas those who are preoccupied by fear, doubt, self-pity and resentment are more likely to feel the effects of ‘bad luck.’When the human mind accepts something as definite it becomes so in the individual’s life. In contrast, when one embraces the idea of change, they develop the capacity for change to occur. Therefore, when an individual gains something previously deemed unobtainable, this action is considered “lucky.”This ability to alter the interpretation of reality can be further explained through the examination of the Placebo Effect. Placebos are used in drug trials as a control. A placebo replaces an active drug thus allowing researchers to see if the drug is effective or if the results are merely psychological.Dr. Robert Coghill, a researcher at Wake Forest, has explored the Placebo Effect in various studies. He found that every possible action triggers reactions in different areas ofthe brain. Even predicting an outcome lights up the corresponding section of the brain.The same idea applies to the concept of luck. If one were to have very low expectations for their day, each time something negative occurred, the experience would be intensified because the brain was already prepared for a mishap. Those who focus on the success of the day ahead of them will find that they are more prepared to succeed and are less affected by negative events.Even the most average of days can appear dreadful or magnificent based on one’s mood. Maintain high hopes and keep a positive perspective, and more positive or what you perceive as “lucky” days are sure to come your way.mjensen@thesamohi.com