When Luck Arrives.

Today’s Marketing Cookie is about finding the balance between action and patience, reminding us that sometimes the right opportunity comes when we least expect it.

I’ve just learned about this guy James H. Austin, who today's fortune references. He was a neurologist who went on sabbatical to Japan, where he discovered Zen teachings that had a huge impact on his thinking. He became the first to explore how Zen influences the brain and wrote a groundbreaking book about it. His work connects to the idea that staying in motion can lead to good fortune, and it seems to be working for him—he’s 98 years old and still goes dancing and plays tennis.

In his book, Austin suggests that by keeping yourself moving, whether through action, learning, or exploration, you increase your chances of being in the right place at the right time for those unexpected opportunities. This isn’t about random, dumb luck; it’s about showing up, being open, and being prepared for luck to strike. By staying engaged with life, you're not just sitting back and hoping for good things to happen—you’re actively creating the conditions for them to flourish. Austin’s message, echoed in today's fortune, tells us that movement, whether physical, mental, or emotional, is the key to unlocking those moments of serendipity that can change everything.

While Austin’s idea of staying in motion might seem like a way to bend luck in your favor, it’s worth asking: is constant movement really the answer? After all, some people rush from one thing to the next and still never seem to catch a break. They’re very busy, but not necessarily productive or fulfilled. So, what’s up with that? Lao Tzu, the ancient Chinese philosopher and founder of Taoism, which greatly influenced Zen, suggests that “Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” Maybe it’s not just about staying in motion after all, but about planting the seeds and preparing the soil, and then knowing when to pause and let things come to you organically.

Taking action to create opportunities is important, but can we really control when luck strikes? Or is there something to be said for trusting the timing of life instead of constantly chasing after it? Perhaps the real answer lies somewhere in between. Staying in motion keeps us engaged and open for whatever comes our way, but knowing when to pause and let things unfold naturally allows things to evolve organically, even without our direct effort. Whether we are prepared and pushing for progress, as Zen teaches, or willing and waiting for nature to work its wonders, as Taoism suggests, movement is still happening. And when luck does arrive, it will be because, as today's fortune says, “Chance favors those in motion.”