I've ridden since I was 18 and had one crash and one slide. Patience is definitely a life saver. I get on my bike always being consciously aware that it might be my last time. It sounds pretty morbid, but its an acceptance of the reality of the risk of riding bikes and not an incantation for luck.
I took an advanced riding course about 20 years ago and the instructor said much the same thing, that you had to accept the risks, then do what you could to reduce them, but there is always that one thing that will blind side you out of the blue-the unexpected and unanticipated.
I always tell those thinking of riding that if they aren't prepared to fully accept the risk, then they shouldn't get on a bike. Those who tell me how dangerous it is to ride a bike I never attempt to rebutt. Bikes are dangerous and that's part of the game.