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A collection of thoughts and stories to educate, entertain, and inspire. March 2025 P ACKARD P RESS The The Secret to Being Lucky? SHOWING UP MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE
When it comes to luck, I don’t think a rabbit’s foot or special charm grants the wearer superpowers. I believe luck is something you create — but timing, chance, and occasionally God stepping in are part of the equation. With St. Patrick’s Day around the corner, it got me thinking about what makes us “lucky,” and though I don’t believe we are just magically handed it, we can set ourselves up to experience more lucky breaks. They say the better you are, the luckier you get. Think about Michael Jordan and all those lucky game-winning shots in his career. Yes, he’s really good, and though I don’t attribute his success to luck, I think something is there beyond ability. He showed up. My daughter is a talented musician who wants to be the next Taylor Swift. Yet, despite her natural skills and the work she puts in, many people are also incredibly talented. If you’re trying out for the all-state choir or an American Idol-style competition, you’ll be up against some of the best. Only one of them will make it big, and they will happen to be in the right place at the right time. Though luck isn’t the driving force of success, if you put yourself in the right place, you will get lucky more often than others. The musician who was “chosen” is the one who goes to the places that can lead to the outcome they seek. They’re performing gigs, making contacts,
biggest benefits you get from college is the network of people you connect with. These relationships are often helpful and provide opportunities later in your career. “Maybe those St. Patrick’s Day leprechauns weren’t happy with their luck at finding a pot of gold; they were just happy, and that’s what made them lucky all along.” You can also easily create your own “unluck.” If you believe something bad will happen, it can be a self-fulfilling prophecy or a negative outcome placebo. A self-defeating attitude will lead to letdowns. However, optimistic thinking helps you attract positive energy and can influence your success. Imagine Piglet and Eeyore going in for a job interview. Even if Eeyore has more experience, Piglet’s winning attitude will help him get the callback. On occasion, I believe luck comes from a force far bigger than us. In my experience, God steps in. For example, my wife and I were married only five months after we met. It’s not the route I would recommend to anybody — we didn’t know each other very well. Sometimes, marriages that happen so fast turn into horror stories — but I got incredibly lucky. I really think God stepped in and said, “Hey, Michael, I think you’re going to need a little help here.” So, let me say this: I don’t believe in luck, except in the rare cases when I do. Sometimes, God gives us a nudge in the right direction, like when I married my lovely wife. But most of the time, luck isn’t a magical force that just appears; we create it by showing up, putting in the work, keeping a positive attitude, and placing ourselves in the right situations. Maybe those St. Patrick’s Day leprechauns weren’t happy with their luck at finding a pot of gold; they were just happy, and that’s what made them lucky all along.
networking, and setting the stage for good fortune. Maybe the “good luck charm” is the opportunity you place in front of yourself. While I believe showing up is the key to creating your own luck, you also need to get into the habit of doing challenging things. We feel a natural resistance when we are a little afraid of success, but it can help motivate us to move forward to the next level. The resistance is a gauge of what you should be working on. Creating and nurturing relationships can also significantly increase your luck. I think one of the
– Michael Packard
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I play this little game while I’m driving. When I see someone speeding, cutting off other cars, or passing on the shoulder, I think, “Poor guy. He’s probably rushing to the hospital to welcome his first child. He needs to get there, and this traffic jam is just getting in his way.” My kids will often shake their heads and say that’s not what’s happening. That guy is just inconsiderate or a bad driver. This is just one small way I practice optimism. You can look at what’s happening to you in so many different ways; if you choose negativity, that’s the energy you’ll find. If you choose to see the best in people and view the world positively, even when it’s hard, you might be surprised how much lighter you feel. Sure, that driver could just be reckless, but empathizing with him and imagining a positive reason behind his actions keeps me from stewing in frustration. March is Optimism Month, and it doesn’t take much to start living with a more positive mindset. Optimism isn’t about escaping reality, and yes, toxic positivity is a thing, but it’s really about focusing only on the good and expecting only success. When you have a task ahead of you, imagine it will go well, and you significantly increase your likelihood of success. The same is true in relationships, goals, or how you talk to yourself. It’s easy to create a self-fulfilling prophecy when you predict the worst, often leading you into the downward spiral you were worried about. Optimists don’t avoid challenges or pretend everything is okay when it’s not; they just focus on finding solutions and keeping their energy up. If something goes wrong at work or home, think about the exciting opportunity to learn or do something more efficiently instead of dwelling on what’s broken. By reframing difficulties as chances for growth, you open yourself up to better, more long- lasting outcomes. This March, I encourage you to take small steps toward optimism, like starting a gratitude journal, finding the silver lining in disappointments, or just being a little kinder to yourself. Optimism is one of the ultimate keys to success. FUEL YOUR SUCCESS WITH POSITIVITY The Optimist’s Guide to Turning Challenges Into Opportunities
From Pirate to Pope THE SALACIOUS STORY OF BALDASSARRE COSSA History is littered with unsavory souls forever scorned for their foul deeds. Still, few scoundrels reached the depths of depravity with greater aplomb than notorious pirate Baldassarre Cossa (circa 1370–1419) — the man otherwise known as Pope John XXIII. A corrupt criminal whose actions would make Don Corleone blush, Cossa and his brothers built a lucrative business the old- fashioned way — by robbing and pillaging. Although his siblings were executed for their crimes, he survived long enough to pursue a new career in religion. Unfortunately, a desire for power rather than holy redemption prompted his turn to God. An opportunist and conman, Cossa lied, betrayed, and manipulated his way to prominence in the Catholic Church, eventually reigning as Pope John XXIII from 1410 to 1415. Not surprisingly, controversy marked his time as a living symbol of God’s grace. For one thing, it occurred during the Western Schism, a fractious era in Catholic history when two other men claimed the role of pope and refused to resign. The strife caused by this confusion over papal authority was matched only by Cossa’s fleshly indulgences. He is said to have bedded hundreds of women — including nuns — during his contested reign. Cossa’s one-man sinning spree eventually landed him in prison, yet, remarkably, he was named Cardinal-Bishop of Tusculum shortly after his release! Much to the relief of devoted Catholics the world over — and, presumably, a fair portion of Italy’s female population — he died shortly after assuming the new role, leaving religious scholars and historians to forever marvel at how much this man of nonexistent morality had achieved in life. Considering Cossa’s infamy, it is no surprise that he is now known mainly as “Antipope” John XXIII. The name “Pope John XXIII” was retired for centuries before a man better suited to hold the moniker chose it and ran the Catholic Church from 1958–1963.
– Michael Packard
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Ditch the Screen, Embrace the Scene SIMPLE TIPS TO BE PRESENT IN THE MOMENT
Have you ever looked up from your phone only to realize you just missed the punchline of a joke, an important plot development in a movie, or a significant moment with your child? Most of us are guilty of spending too much time on our smartphones or other devices at some point. March 7 is the National Day of Unplugging, a challenge to all of us to set down our phones for 24 hours and focus on being in the moment. Unplugging from tech isn’t just about stepping away from screens; it’s about stepping into life. Out of Sight at Night The blue lights of our phone screens can disrupt our sleep patterns and make it harder for our minds to turn off for bed. Experts recommend not looking at your screen for 2–3 hours before bedtime. Not only does scrolling lead to sleep problems, but it also takes you away from your spouse or family members and that important time in the evening to decompress. It’s easy to check for that last email, calendar appointment, or video. So, try charging your phone out of sight in another room. Phone-Free Zones Though we all need our phones for various things, we should put them in our pockets or turn them off completely sometimes. Nothing makes a person feel more unheard than when trying to have a meaningful conversation with someone focusing on their screen. You can establish phone-free zones in your routine, like family dinners. Don’t mix your dopamines. If you are playing a game on your tablet while the rest of your family is laughing over
a movie, you miss the fun. Keep these boundaries for yourself by silencing your notifications or only allowing certain ones. The fewer buzzes, the fewer interruptions and distractions! Silent Strolls Even though we might reach for our headphones before going out for a walk, this is the perfect chance to put some distance between yourself and your device. Try ditching your audiobook or music and listening to the sounds of nature or your city as you stroll. It’s a chance to take in the serene beauty around us.
CREAMY TORTELLINI VEGETABLE SOUP
TAKE A BREAK
Ingredients
Inspired by EatingWell.com
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil • 1 cup peeled and chopped carrots • 1 cup chopped yellow onion • 1 tbsp finely chopped garlic • 3 cups reduced-sodium vegetable broth • 1 (15-oz) can (no salt added) diced tomatoes with basil, garlic, and oregano
• 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped • 1/2 tsp ground pepper • 1/4 tsp plus 1/8 tsp salt • 1 (9-oz) package refrigerated cheese tortellini • 1 (5-oz) package baby spinach • 1 cup heavy cream
Directions
1. In a large Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add carrots and onions and cook for about 5 minutes or until onions are softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute or until fragrant. 2. Add broth, tomatoes, fresh basil, pepper, and salt. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and let simmer for about 5 minutes or until carrots are slightly tender. 3. Stir in tortellini. Cook until pasta is tender. Reduce heat to medium-low. 4. Add baby spinach and cream. Cook until spinach is wilted. Serve and garnish with additional basil if desired.
Aquamarine Basketball Bluebird Clover
Green Ides Leprechaun Madness
Pisces Spring Tangerine Tulip
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How to Create Your Own Luck Plunder at the Pulpit Gratitude, Growth, and Grit The Power of Unplugging Creamy Tortellini Vegetable Soup Build a Positive Self-Image in Your Kids
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Raise Confident Kids Praising your child has always been a “tricky” area of parenting. You want to raise your child to be a confident human being while also embodying what it means to be humble and appreciative. So, how do you stay within the bounds of instilling self- assurance without going overboard? While every child is different, several parenting approaches allow you to praise your child’s efforts without enabling arrogance. Recognize your child’s effort in addition to their accomplishment. As parents, it’s easy to praise your child’s accomplishments without acknowledging all their hard work to achieve them. Suppose your child won first place in their school’s spelling bee. Instead of praising them for being the best, acknowledge how all their studying paid off. Express confidence in their ability to achieve success. Let your child know you’re not only proud of them but also that you know they can achieve their goals. This praise sets the stage for your child to share future goals — for example, making the basketball or cheerleading team. Avoid foreshadowing praise with negativity. This may be difficult for some parents, especially if they’ve had repeated obedience issues. If you’re proud of your child’s game-winning catch, avoid prefacing the statement with “Even though you didn’t cut the grass as I asked …” This can be considered the equivalent of a backhanded compliment, and no one responds well to those. 4 Tips Every Parent Should Follow
Align the level of praise with the accomplishment.
In other words, don’t overdo it. Parents are their children’s biggest cheerleaders, so it can be challenging to tame your emotions when they win or overcome a fear. This is, of course, at your discretion, but it’s something to be mindful of. Does winning the season’s first game warrant a big backyard party with all the bells and whistles? Everyone’s parenting styles differ, but instilling values such as believing in oneself, empathy, gratitude, and determination are qualities any parent can nurture in their children for the betterment of themselves and those around them.
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