Luck
Luck -- a word we apply to unforeseen events that affect us in one of two ways: for the better (good luck) or the worse (bad luck). Although nothing more than a word used to describe our reaction to events beyond our control, many cultures that base their world view more on superstition than on Oprah Winfrey believe that luck is an external thing -- an independent force or power that can be persuaded or seduced to act on our behalf. Even in enlightened countries such as the United States, where the Word of Oprah has been spread, shrines and cities dedicated to the gods of luck continue to be built, mostly on Indian reservations whose residents are very familiar with the power of unforeseeable events.
But luck is not an idea to be taken lightly. The particular world in which we find ourselves born is entirely a matter of luck, and that world, for the majority of the planet's population, is no laughing matter. We don't realize what a privilege it is to live a life so removed from the basic challenge of survival that we can afford to spend time and nervous energy worried about our personal emotional and intellectual fulfillment.
Citizens of 9th Century Europe didn't realize they were living in the Dark Ages. While most would have said the world is a dark and dangerous place, they would have agreed that their life was much better than it had been for previous generations.
Nothing's changed. Every generation lives in its own Dark Age. The manor lords continue to pay the bards for entertainment and argue the pros and cons of romantic love while the serfs continue to argue over the best way to separate wheat from chaff.