CAR, no one is discrediting that luck plays no role in their good fortune. But you seem to think luck is all that’s needed. But that’s always the case. It takes guts and risk to take advantage of that luck. Sometimes, it also needs proper planning and saving to take advantage of that luck. Prime example is yourself. In 2005, there was a RE bubble. You sold and made a huge fortune. That luck was presented to EVERYONE in US. Yet, most didn’t have the guts or knowledge or the desire for risk to sell and rent. You did and good for you. You were rewarded handsomely. Same thing happens a few years later. The market crashed and you jumped back in at a much lower price and are being rewarded handsomely with the low interest rate. Not everyone could or would take advantage of that luck. So, yes, there is luck involve, but a lot of times, you and you alone are responsible for acting on that luck.
With your example of the intelligent being lucky. They could have easily become the uni-bomber or the many who chose careers that doesn’t pay well. Then there’s good-looks. Sure you have good look but if you didn’t take advantage of that and eat like a slob and get fat, you blew that luck away. Same with athletic ability. If you don’t practice harder than most, you won’t be at the top and you won’t make much money. Or worse yet, you can ignore your athletic ability and be lazy, eat like a slob and get fat. Luck are presented all over the place, yet, not everyone can, could, would take advantage of it.
