Do good things happen to people who just happen to be in the right place at the right time or are those good things the direct result of that person's hard work and ingenuity?

As is true of most questions that ask either/or, the correct answer is actually both/and.

I've been thinking a lot about this question over the last 24 hours because I had an amazing weekend.

On Friday, I got a tour of the Pentagon and attended Mass in the chapel that was built at the spot where the plane hit the building on 9/11. Then I got my reader card to do research uin the Library of Congress and got to see one of the 4 extant original copies of the Magna Carta (which turns 800 this year!).

On Saturday, I went to New York and saw a compelling and magnificent play – The Last Ship. If you live anywhere near New York, go NOW. You won't regret it. One of the stars is the husband of a long-time friend of mine. After the well-deserved standing ovation, we got to go backstage, walk on the set, and greet the show's composer — Sting — before we enjoyed dinner with my friends. The next day, we strolled up Fifth Avenure (where the decrations were still up) and through Central Park before attending the Gospel Brunch at BB KIngs.

Another awesome weekend in what seems to be a lifetime of amazing experiences. Am I exceptionally lucky or just super hard-working?

It's a bit of both. I'm lucky that I've had the opportunity to be educated in a variety of places and to meet fascinating people along the way. I'm lucky that I'm financially and physically able to get from place to place with relative ease. I'm lucky that my temperament is fairly easygoing and able to deal with sudden changes of plan.

But I've done some work too. I take the time to keep up with friends from every stage of my life (from grade school to now). I limit expenditures for some things so that I can have money available for travel. I'm decisive – when I decide to do something, I make plans to do it. I don't leave things to "someday." I take the chance that I night look silly or be uncomfortable or not have fun. I get up early or stay up late or push myself or miss television programs so that I can be out and about.

I don't know that this post is going anywhere, it's sort of just my rambling thoughts. But I think there are two takeaways:

1) Tend your relationships.

2) Take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves.