>If that's the crux, then why write about this other than to brag?

Haven't you noticed how pervasive the "no, I'm self made and being lucky has nothing to do with it" myth is around these parts?

Despite how trivial it is to observe the opposite. Spending a week or two living in a favela or any third world country slum easily disabuses people from harbouring such notions... Or we could just culturally recognize how much it's all about luck.