WHERE DO HUMAN HAPPINESS AND LUCK ORIGINATE? – EIGHT WAYS TO CULTIVATE GOOD FORTUNE (PHÚC ĐỨC) FOR YOURSELF

In the endless flow of life, everyone seeks happiness and wishes for the Goddess of Fortune to knock on their door. However, merely sitting and waiting for luck to fall from the sky is no different from someone waiting for a ripe fruit to drop. Eastern philosophy, and particularly the accumulated wisdom of Vietnamese people across generations, concludes that: A person’s destiny and good fortune (phúc khí) are not found in distant, mystical things, but are hidden within the way they live, the way they treat others, and the way they face themselves every day.

The ancients taught: “Đức năng thắng số” (Virtue can overcome fate), meaning the power of morality can surpass predestined fate. True luck is not a random event; it is the inevitable result of a continuous process of planting and nurturing. The following eight principles are the eight fertile grounds for each person to sow the seeds of good fortune and luck for their own life, based on profound truths:

I. Luck Originates From Good Health – The Body is the Root of All Success

“To have health is to have everything” is an eternal truth. Health is the root, the most valuable capital for us to pursue all goals, from making a living and studying to contributing and enjoying life. Vietnamese people have sayings like:

“Một nghề thì sống, đống nghề thì chết.” (One skill makes a living, a pile of skills kills you – implying focus, but also subtly suggesting that without the health to pursue them, all professions are meaningless). Or more simply: “Người ốm nằm đó, người khỏe làm ăn.” (The sick person lies there, the healthy person works).

Good health is not just the absence of physical illness; it also includes mental resilience. To have good health, we must:

• Focus on nutrition and exercise: Eat moderately and exercise regularly.
• Maintain healthy habits: Sleep and rest on time, stay away from harmful habits.
• Care for psychological health: Keep the spirit relaxed and know how to relieve stress.

When the body and mind are healthy, life energy will be abundant, work performance will be effective, natural optimism will radiate, making work and life smooth and effortless. Health is the greatest fortune we can create for ourselves.

II. Luck Originates From a Good Heart – Kindness is the Door to All Good Things

A kind, benevolent heart is a person’s most solid foundation. When we live kindly, placing benevolence as the root of all actions, we not only bring light and warmth to those around us but are also accumulating blessings for ourselves. Vietnamese ancestors often advised their descendants on Đức (Virtue) and benevolence:

“Đói cho sạch, rách cho thơm.” (If hungry, be clean; if ragged, be fragrant – keep your dignity even in hardship). “Thương người như thể thương thân.” (Love others as you love yourself). “Ăn ở hiền lành, trời đất chở che.” (Live kindly and honestly, heaven and earth will protect you).

Kindness does not need to be grand actions; it simply needs to be everyday courtesy, empathy, tolerance, and a willingness to help others within our ability. When we have a benevolent heart, we will:

• Receive help: “Được lòng người, mọi việc dễ thành” (Win people’s hearts, everything is easily accomplished), “Đắc đạo đa trợ” (A virtuous person receives much help).
• Achieve peace of mind: The heart is not burdened by wrongdoing, and the spirit is naturally tranquil.
• Attract positive energy: Kindness creates a field of good energy, naturally attracting good things and good people to us.

A benevolent heart is the seed of all good things, the source of lasting fortune and prosperity.

III. Luck Originates From Correct Views – Mindset Guides Life

A life philosophy, or system of thought, is the compass that shapes every decision, action, and consequently, the results in life. If we have a wrong perception, all efforts and actions, no matter how diligent, can lead to failure or straying from the path. Vietnamese people often value wisdom and foresight:

“Sai một ly, đi một dặm.” (Wrong by one ly (small measure), off by one dặm (mile)). “Trọng của không bằng trọng người.” (Valuing wealth is not equal to valuing people – emphasizing human value over material wealth). “Uốn cây từ thuở còn non, dạy con từ thuở hãy còn thơ ngây.” (Bend the tree while it is young, teach the child while it is still innocent – about the importance of shaping the mindset early).

A correct view helps us determine our purpose in life, know what we live for, and what we should do to achieve it.

• Live with purpose: Take charge of one’s life, live meaningfully.
• Actively learn: Constantly cultivate knowledge and survival skills.
• Know how to share: When stable, know how to help others to create shared value.

A change in perception can lead to a complete change in destiny. A positive, progressive, and humane mindset is the key to unlocking success and luck.

IV. Luck Originates From a Good Temperament – Calmness is the Temperament of the Successful

Temperament, especially the ability to control anger, directly affects the quality of life and social relationships. An erratic, short-tempered nature not only destroys relationships but also severely impacts health and clarity of mind. The ancients said:

“Giận quá mất khôn.” (Too much anger loses wisdom). “Chớ nghe lời kẻ nịnh hót mà sinh giận người ngay.” (An ancestor’s advice: Do not listen to flatterers and become angry at righteous people). Or another saying about calmness and thoughtfulness: “Ăn chậm nhai kỹ.” (Eat slowly, chew thoroughly – meaning to be deliberate, to consider before acting).

Anger is a poison that pollutes the soul and depletes a person’s vital energy. People with a bad temperament often have destiny turn its back on them because they themselves push away good opportunities and hurt those around them. To attract luck, we need to:

• Practice self-control: Learn how to “tranh khí không tranh giận” (strive for success, not for anger to overwhelm you).
• Consider thoroughly before acting: “Tư thành nhi hành” (think carefully before doing), avoid hasty, erroneous decisions.
• Maintain harmony: Staying calm helps us see the problem clearly, find the optimal solution, and avoid unnecessary trouble.

A mild, composed temperament is the foundation for building lasting relationships and achieving great success.

V. Luck Originates From a Pleasant Countenance – Appearance is Born From the Heart

The countenance is a mirror reflecting the inner self. When we are sad, worried, or angry, the face becomes unpleasant, creating an invisible barrier that makes others unwilling to interact. People say:

“Tướng tùy tâm sinh, cảnh tùy tâm chuyển.” (Appearance is born from the heart, circumstance changes according to the mind). “Lời nói chẳng mất tiền mua, lựa lời mà nói cho vừa lòng nhau.” (Words cost no money, choose them carefully to please each other – not only words but the countenance also needs to be friendly). “Ăn mày gặp lá khoai to.” (A beggar finds a big taro leaf – even if poor, keep a bright face, full of hope).

A pleasant countenance, a sincere smile, not only shows respect for the person opposite but also spreads positive energy. It is a non-verbal language with the power to attract opportunities and affection from others.

• Respect others: Always maintain a gentle, polite attitude.
• Smile often: A smile is a friendly bridge, a key that opens the door to communication.
• Keep the soul pure: When the soul is free from negative worries, the countenance will naturally radiate, bringing good luck.

VI. Luck Originates From Kind Words – Words are the Communication of Fate

The power of words is immense; it can build or destroy everything. The ancients had a famous folk verse:

“Lời nói chẳng mất tiền mua, lựa lời mà nói cho vừa lòng nhau.” (Words cost no money, choose them carefully to please each other). “Một lời nói dối, sám hối nửa đời.” (One lie, repentance for half a lifetime). “Một câu nói hay ấm áp ba mùa đông, một lời ác nghiệt lạnh lẽo sáu tháng hè.” (A good word warms three winters, a harsh word chills six months of summer – a widely used Sino-Vietnamese proverb). “Bệnh tòng khẩu nhập, họa tòng khẩu xuất.” (Illness enters through the mouth, calamity exits through the mouth).

Good words are benevolent, sincere, respectful, and constructive.

• Speak gently: Use soft, polite language in communication. “Hòa khí sinh tài” (Harmony generates wealth).
• Avoid complaining and blaming: Complaining does not solve problems and creates negative energy.
• Respect others: “Kính nhân giả nhân hằng kính chi” (Those who respect others will forever be respected by others).

Knowing how to speak kind, beautiful words is not just the art of communication but also a way to create luck for oneself.

VII. Luck Originates From Good Actions – Sow Good Seeds, Reap Good Fortune

Actions are the clearest expression of one’s life view and thoughts. To have luck, one cannot stop at good thoughts and kind words but must act accurately and correctly. The philosophy of “You reap what you sow” is deeply ingrained in the Vietnamese through many folk verses:

“Ở hiền gặp lành.” (Live kindly, meet good fortune). “Đừng thấy việc thiện nhỏ mà không làm, đừng thấy việc ác nhỏ mà làm.” (An ancestor’s advice: Do not fail to do good because the deed is small, do not do evil because the deed is small). “Cây lành sinh quả ngọt.” (A good tree yields sweet fruit). “Đã mang lấy nghiệp vào thân, cũng đừng trách lẫn trời gần trời xa.” (The Law of Karma: Since you have brought karma upon yourself, do not blame heaven near or far).

Good actions are those that benefit oneself and do no harm to others. They are actions of gratitude (respect for property, labor), creating blessings (doing good deeds), and cherishing what one has.

• Actively do good: Do many good deeds, even small ones, to “create fortune” (tạo phúc).
• Learn to “let go” to “gain”: That is, “let go” of unnecessary things, give to receive, “xá đắc tài hữu sở đắc” (with giving, there is receiving).
• Improve oneself: Self-reflect on actions to become a person worthy of love and respect.

Every benevolent action today is the premise for future luck and peace of mind.

VIII. Luck Originates From Good Relationships – The Power of Connection

Humans are social creatures; they cannot live in isolation but must exist and thrive within a complex network of relationships. Good relationships are the most valuable intangible asset, helping us overcome difficulties, seize opportunities, and achieve fulfillment in life. Vietnamese people highly value affection and connection:

“Bán anh em xa, mua láng giềng gần.” (Sell distant brothers, buy near neighbors). “Một cây làm chẳng nên non, ba cây chụm lại nên hòn núi cao.” (One tree does not make a mountain, three trees gathered make a high mountain). “Tình làng nghĩa xóm tối lửa tắt đèn có nhau.” (Neighborly love and affection are there for each other during times of need).

Good relationships do not come naturally; they need to be nurtured by:

• Sincerity (thành tín): Investing emotionally with genuine sincerity, without self-interest.
• Good morality (hảo tâm đức): Only with good morality can we attract and retain genuine friends and partners.
• Caring: Valuing the relationship more than work or material possessions.

A solid network of relationships is a lifeline, the most effective support resource on the path to seeking happiness and success for everyone.

CONCLUSION: HUMAN LIFE IS AN EMPTY JAR

Each person’s life can be likened to an empty jar or a box. Our happiness and luck do not depend on the size of the jar, but on what we choose to pour into it:

• Pour in more joy, and less sorrow will remain.
• Pour in more gratitude, and less pain will remain.
• Pour in more understanding, and less conflict will remain.
• Pour in more great deeds, and fewer trivial, mediocre things will remain.
• Pour in more sunlight, and less mist will remain.
• Pour in more insight, and less prejudice will remain.
• Pour in more good, merciful deeds, and less sadness will remain.
• Pour in more friendship, and less hostility will remain.

Luck does not come from random fate, but from the daily, conscious cultivation of the self. When we take control of our body, temperament, words, actions, and relationships in a positive direction, at that point, we are truly creating the best possible destiny for ourselves. Grasping these Eight Ways to Cultivate Good Fortune, each person will no longer worry about the randomness of life but will confidently step forward on the path illuminated by light and happiness.