When You Wish Someone Good Luck

Summary

Rasheed Hooda reflects on the personal growth experienced through participating in the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators' daily writing prompts, particularly focusing on the concept of good luck charms across different cultures and his own perspective on luck.

Abstract

Rasheed Hooda, a published author and contributor to the ILLUMINATION community on Medium, shares his response to the daily writing prompt from SCBWI, which was "Good Luck Charm." He discusses how the activity, initially pursued for fun, led to unexpected personal growth. Hooda explores various cultural interpretations of good luck charms, drawing examples from Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity, and contrasts them with his friend's view that the word "luck" has roots in the power of Lucifer. Instead of wishing good luck, she prefers to bless others with "Godspeed." Hooda invites readers to engage with his exploration of luck and its origins, and he provides links to his previous writings and newsletter for further engagement.

Opinions

The author did not initially expect the SCBWI writing prompts to lead to personal growth.
Good luck charms are culturally specific, with Hooda highlighting the absence of common Western charms in his own upbringing.
The author equates the concept of good luck charms with religious or spiritual symbols like the Cross in Christianity and the Taweez in some Muslim cultures.
Hooda's friend has a strong aversion to the term "

My response to the daily prompt from SCBWI for May 10th

When I decided to join the daily writing prompt issued by the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, I was just looking for something fun to do. I didn’t realize that it would lead me to unexpected personal growth.

Today’s prompt is Good Luck Charm. In the past couple of days, I used images found online as inspiration to writing on the topic. (You can read those here and here)

So, naturally, I searched for images for today’s topic. I mostly found four-leafed clovers, horseshoes, and ladybugs, along with a couple of dream catchers and origami cranes. None of these represented something I grew up with as far as what can be considered a good luck charm.

To be fair, the concept of good luck charm was not a part of the culture I grew up in. However, the custom of wearing or carrying something to be a blessing or protection from evil or ill will was not foreign. It would be akin to wearing a Cross.

In India, Hinduism, and Buddhism are the two native influences that dominate the populace. The charms or talismans are similar and difficult to tell apart in some cases.

When I saw the picture of the origami crane, as it is tagged, I did not see a crane; I saw a swan. In Indian mythology, swan symbolizes the spiritual, and the crane symbolizes material.

Islam and Christianity have a significant following among the foreign influences, and their talismans or amulets are distinctly different. The Cross is a well know symbol around the world, and cannot be mistaken.

In some Muslim cultures, though not all of them, wearing a Taweez (ta’wiz, or ta’weedh) is not uncommon. It is an amulet that contains within it a paper with Quranic verses or other prayers. (I couldn’t find any pictures of a Taweez in any of the photography websites).

I don’t know much about luck or its origins, but I have a Toastmaster friend who is adamant about not using the word luck. She says it has its roots in the power of Lucifer, and she wants nothing to do with it. So instead of wishing people good luck, she blesses them with Godspeed.

As always, thank you for reading and responding.

WRITING PROMPT: GOOD LUCK

When You Wish Someone Good Luck

My response to the daily prompt from SCBWI for May 10th

More about me:

Illuminating Mister Weirdo

Introducing myself to the community

I Am a Bum, Maybe Not the Kind You Think

An illuminating lesson I learned about the power of words by writing consistently.