Lucky

I've been thinking lately about how lucky I am. I would like to say that I think some people's idea of "luck" is a little skewed before I continue. There is a big difference between working hard for something and luck. I've had people say "oh your so lucky" about something that I've worked really hard for and I kind of resent it a little. Luck had nothing to do with us buying a house for example, we had to work hard and save the money, and we continue to work hard to keep it!

Some things are "luck" if you will. I am very lucky to have been born in Canada, especially as a woman. I try to imagine what it would be like to have been born into a society that considered me a second class citizen, a possession even, based on my gender-I can't imagine it. I am lucky to have the opportunity to go back to school so I can have a career I love. Last year I upgraded and I worked hard and got good grades (something else that people consider "luck" when its plain hard work) and I got a small scholarship, nothing crazy, $500. I have been waiting for my cheque in the mail, thinking of all the things I couldn't wait to get with my hard earned cash. I realized I am lucky to have the luxury to spend money on things I don't really need. I started to think about the girls in Malawi who have so little control over what happens in their lives, how unattainable education is for most of them, based on the place they were born and their gender. I realized that $500 would mean a heck of a lot more to one of them than it will to me. Do I really care more about he boots I wanted than changing a life? No, I really don't. So, I will be happily sending my scholarship on to one of the Malawi girls, it just seems right.