Is it Luck?

My family enjoys games. A lot. We have created our own annual holiday, known as “International Benny Day,” dedicated to all-day game playing. Usually, it’s board games, but recently, we’ve been attending local trivia nights. The last two weeks, we came in second at the Wednesday night event at the Village Tavern. It felt like a win, though, because the winning team, both nights, had a ringer. Tim Swankey, from little old Marcellus, will be appearing on tonight’s (March 10) episode of “Jeopardy!”

Every March, St. Patrick’s Day arrives with a burst of green — shamrocks, parades, leprechauns, and the playful search for the pot of gold. It’s a lighthearted holiday, but like many traditions, it holds a deeper thread worth exploring.

With my newfound interest in trivia, I thought I’d share some St. Patrick’s Day factoids. Some of it may surprise you.

• “St.” Patrick was never actually canonized by the Catholic church. He died before that was even a thing.
• The shamrock is considered a national symbol of Ireland. There’s a legend that St. Patrick used it to teach the Irish people about the Holy Trinity. And if you come across any of the people who were once in my 3rd grade religious education classes, they may remember that I did the same!
• My friend and current yoga teacher trainee, Pam, lived in Ireland for several years. She introduced me to a very entertaining Irishman on social media (@Garron Music)*, and he informed me that the Irish do not eat corned beef and cabbage. They eat Irish bacon and cabbage. A bit of research revealed that when the Irish immigrated to America, they often lived near other marginalized groups, including Jewish and Italian people. They discovered corned beef in Jewish delis and found it was the closest and most affordable substitution for Irish bacon. *(Warning: if you find him on social media, be prepared for some Irish cussing.)
• Most scholars agree that there were never any snakes in Ireland. The stories of St. Patrick driving all the snakes out of Ireland were probably symbolic of him driving out the devil or the presumed evil of paganism.
• St. Patrick’s Day was originally a more somber religious observance. Like we do with many things, Americans made it more of a secular celebration, and it has become a parade-worthy, green-wearing, shamrock-shaking, Irish-dancing cause for festivities. We need the joyful occasions. Wear some green, and carry on.

Ok, that’s it for the trivia. Back to yoga.  Is it a leap to think of luck when we think of St. Patrick’s Day? The luck o’ the Irish and all that? Let’s lean into that idea.

Is luck something that happens to us, or something we cultivate? Yoga teaches that the most meaningful changes in our lives rarely come from chance alone. Instead, they arise from consistent practice — showing up, breathing, paying attention, and meeting ourselves honestly. What might look like luck from the outside often has roots in patience, resilience, and willingness to begin again. Every time you roll out your mat, you’re practicing this quiet kind of magic. You’re creating the conditions for clarity. You’re strengthening your capacity to respond rather than react. You’re building steadiness in body and mind. In other words, you’re making your own luck.

The shamrock has long been a symbol associated with this holiday, often representing the holy trinity. In yoga, we also work with meaningful triads that support our practice. Some that come to mind:

• Body, Mind, & Soul
• The three parts of AUM or OM, the universal sound
• Creation, Preservation, and Destruction

There’s a famous legend about a pot of gold hidden at the end of the rainbow by leprechauns. While it makes for a fun story, yoga suggests something different: the treasure isn’t waiting somewhere far away.

It’s already here. It’s in the quiet moment after a deep breath. It’s in the feeling of strength in a pose you once struggled with. It’s in the simple joy of moving your body and sharing space with others in practice. These small moments of awareness and connection are their own kind of gold.

As you move through class this week, consider this reflection:
Where do I notice small moments of “luck” in my life — moments of presence, connection, or gratitude? You may find that the more you pay attention, the more they appear. And that might be the most magical part of all.

So this week, wear a little green if you like, breathe deeply, and step onto your mat ready to discover that the real luck is simply being here.
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Happy St. Patrick’s Day, and we’ll see you in class. 🍀