Friday, June 13, 2014

Bad Luck, Good Luck or No Luck at All?




Are you superstitious?  Do you cross the street to avoid a black cat, walk around ladders and refuse to step on a sidewalk crack?  How do you feel about the number 13? Or, even worse, Friday the 13th, a day that strikes fear into the hearts of people across the globe?  A fear so prevalent that it even has its own name: Triskaidekaphobia.  Try saying that three times!
 

Athletes are well known for their superstitions.  You've probably seen baseball pitchers who refuse to shave while on a winning streak.  They have lucky shirts, lucky socks, even lucky underwear.  I do have to chuckle though when superstition has them refusing to wash said items.  Must be an aromatic experience for the poor guy using the locker next to them!



My late husband was not a fan of Friday the 13th.  Several years before we met he had surgery on Friday the 13th.  What was supposed to be an easy surgery turned terrifying when he contracted a rare staph infection, came close to dying and ended up spending six months in the hospital.  Needless to say, the entire twenty-five years we were married he never, never, left the house on Friday the 13th!


Luck (good and bad) has been the topic of many lively discussions over the years. Some people believe that luck happens, regardless of what we do and we all know that sometimes bad things happen to good people. I believe that many things in life are out of our control and that, yes, sometimes bad things happen regardless of the precautions we take but I also believe that we can have a positive impact on the type of luck we experience.  I believe that, to a certain degree, we are able to make our own luck.  I choose to surround myself with good energy, positive thoughts and the belief that good things will happen.  It's a simple thing to do but the results are astounding.



All things considered, I don't really consider myself to be a superstitious person.  Oh sure, I knock on wood but I don't toss spilled salt over my shoulder.  I live alone.  Do you think fairies are going to come in at night and clean it up for me? No, they are not.  I do, however, have a shamrock hanging from the mirror in my car.  It's been with me for twenty-four years and has graced four vehicles. Has it brought me good luck? Maybe. I can't say for certain that it's been the cause behind the good luck in my life. I can say that it surrounds me with positive energy and that it makes me smile each time I enter my car and that is a very, very good thing.

~PJ







Are you superstitious?

Do you have any particular superstitions?

Do you have a good luck charm?  What is it?

Do you fear Friday the 13th?

What will you be doing today?  

Do you believe that surrounding yourself with positive thoughts will enhance the good luck in your life?

Do you believe that leaving a comment today will earn you a package of books?  It could!

I have two more packages of books to give away so let's get those comments rolling. For two of you, Friday the 13th is going to be a very lucky day!  (U.S. addresses only)






51 comments:

  1. I can be superstitious at times. I was taught to spit and make a X on the windshield when a black cat crosses I'm front of the car. Well instill do the X thing, but spitting is nasty and messes up my windshield. Most people hate squirrels, but I love them. I have driven a school bus going on 18 years. I drive in town so I get to see a lot of them. Anytime I see one run over I say a prayer for them and hope they are running around the trees in heaven. Yes I brake for them and tell them to get out of my way. The kids on my bus get a kick out of it! I know it sounds crazy but that's just how it goes. I'm a animal lover to the T! I have one good luck charm that's a small stuffed snoopy dog that rides on the dash of my school bus. It has been with me since I started driving and yes I wash him when the year is over.
    I've never worried about Friday the 13th. It's just another day, but this Friday the 13th is also going to be a full moon. I love a full moon. It's like gods night light. I do have superstitions but most will call me OCD. I have to make sure all doors are locked at night, twice. I always double check my gates that go to my barn and make sure they are secure, even though I crawl threw the gate instead of opening it. Little things like that. I guess I'm a little OCD. I may wish to win, but it's up to the person choosing that I will win. So maybe I am a little lucky. Hope everyone has a fabilulus Friday the 13th and don't forget to howl at the full moon!

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    1. I've never heard of the spit and X on the windshield. Probably a good thing. I never could get the hang of spitting when I was a kid. It usually ended up being drool down my chin. lol

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  2. More often than not I have found that Friday the 13th is a good day for me so I don't worry when it comes around. I don't avoid black cats but I don't think it is a good idea to walk under a ladder no matter what.

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    1. Maureen, like you I don't go out of my way to avoid black cats but I do avoid walking under a ladder. No sense tempting fate!

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  3. I am a very superstitious person. But then, I believe in ghosts too. I try not to look at the calendar when Friday the 13th is near. Why take a chance.

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    1. Have you ever had a ghost experience? I've never seen one but there have been times when I've had some definite "feelings."

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  4. I am not superstitious but I do believe that having positive thoughts are always important in having happiness and a better life.

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  5. I do not fear Fri the 13th. But am superstitious, especially when it comes to watching The LA Dodgers play. If things around me while I am watching are in a certain position or my legs are crossed a certain way, they stay that way.
    patoct

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    1. We're that way when watching our college teams play!

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  6. VERY superstitious ...to this day I will not walk over a handicap parking space ....and I am very leery of Friday the 13th. My Mom broke her leg on a friday the 13th. As for lucky charms...too many to mention. I just recently was turned on to Jill Barnett and she had a secondary character in her books that had all these "charms" and I laughed, completely understanding his wish for anything that could bring him luck. We all know that you truly make your own luck but with all that life offers, I dont think it hurts to have a few things stacked on the good luck side. And I agree that optimism and good positive thoughts do help on the good luck sign also. Fun topic. ...

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    1. Hope, I've not heard about the handicap parking space superstition. I would imagine your mom isn't too fond of Friday the 13th either.

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  7. I do not have any superstitions since I am too realistic to think that they influence our lives. I avoid ladders but for safety and would try to have a positive attitude most of the time.

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    1. I think a positive attitude is always a good thing!

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  8. no superstions or good luck charms for me.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, jcp. Hope you're having a good Friday the 13th!

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  9. I really really really believe I can win a box of books on this Friday the 13th; AM KEEPING POSITIVE THOUGHTS. LOL. I do not have a lucky charm or fear the day. And not doing anything special.
    Helen L.

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    1. Keep those positive vibes flowing, Helen! You never know!

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  10. I am not superstitious, and Friday the 13th is FRIDAY! A day to be happy about, especially during the school year, haha! And, hey, it's also pay day, today! Bonus!

    I don't have any good luck charms, but I do have a comfort spoon. A comfort spoon, you say? Well, when I was a kid, my mother had a set of flatware that had heavy handles with wheat patterns on them. While visiting them several years ago and looking through the silverware drawer for something, I found a spoon like the one I mentioned. I remember it was my favorite, why, I don't know. I "borrowed" that spoon (and, yes, I have confessed to Mother), and when I feel sick or sad or needing comfort, I use that spoon. Weird, I know. ;)

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    1. Okay, so maybe a comfort spoon is out of the norm but I think it's lovely. Sounds to me like it represents a happy childhood and the comfort and joy of your mother's love. I think that's a wonderful charm.

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  11. Nope, not superstitious but I do think the whole Friday the 13th is a lot of fun. I like to go along with them in a humorous way. I do feel bad for black cats though - they got a bad rap!!!

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    1. Black cats do get a bad rap. So do black dogs. Do you know they are the least likely animals to be adopted from shelters? Maybe that's why the last three dogs I've adopted have been black. ;-)

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    2. Our shelter dog was black too! I take care of a black feral who is 17 this year. I always worry on Halloween but she's smart enough to hide.

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  12. I am not superstitious and have no good luck charms. I am going to a birthday party tonite.
    Karen T.

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    1. Hope you have a wonderful time at the birthday party!

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  13. not overly superstitious, but do avoid things like walking under a ladder, or breaking a mirror. Wouldn't freak out if I did either of those things though

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    1. I might freak out over the broken mirror but only over the thought of picking up pieces of glass for the next three months. *grin*

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  14. No I'm not superstitious ,fri the 13 is just silly.noI have no good luck charms going to clean the house cleaning the house being positive is always a good thing.

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    1. Chuck Berry helps me stay positive while cleaning house. It's not my favorite thing to do but cranking up the stereo does help to improve my attitude.

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  15. Are you superstitious? A bit. When someone dies, I look for the pattern of the other two deaths so I can breathe a sigh of relief it's none of my family. Hopefully.

    Do you have any particular superstitions? 3 death superstition. Oh, and don't squash spiders. (Mostly because they eat insects, but supposedly cuts off your money supply. I leave them alone; I've done okay.)

    Do you have a good luck charm? What is it? Not unless you count a lucky blanket.

    Do you fear Friday the 13th? It *can* make me anxious, yes, so no PLANES. Most everything else, I'll go with.

    What will you be doing today? I'm at work. I'll get getting a massage after work; and then I'll probably get a new file to give myself a pedicure (my heels are making me nuts.) THEN I'll go home, watch a movie, maybe paint or write, and eat something fabulous. Since it's a full moon, I'll also avoid as many people as I can. (Full moons make me edgier than Friday the 13th.)

    Do you believe that surrounding yourself with positive thoughts will enhance the good luck in your life? YES. Because I believe Like attracts Like. If you're happy, you'll attract more happy--or recognize more happiness. The more sad you are, sad is all you see.

    Do you believe that leaving a comment today will earn you a package of books? It has before, but no, I don't really believe it'll bring me luck since I'm a blogger here. *LOL*

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    1. Hellie, I do that "comes in threes" thing too. Freaks me out sometimes.

      A massage and pedicure sounds like an excellent way to spend Friday the 13th!

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  16. I'm not superstitious at all although I don't think it's a good idea to walk under ladders. I've had a black cat and I taught for many years in room 13. It was a lucky room---precious children and many happy memories.

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    1. Pam, I love that you taught in room 13! Not only do you have wonderful memories but you probably helped countless children view the number 13 in a positive light as well.

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  17. Not really; maybe relaxing with friends

    bn100candg at hotmail dot com

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  18. I am not superstitious and I don't dread the day. Will be going into my daughter's today.
    Patty B 43

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  19. What a fun post. Thanks, PJ. I'm not particularly superstitious. But I do think my Hubby generally has good luck!

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    1. Maybe some of your hubby's good luck will rub off on you. Hope you have a great day! :)

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  20. I am really not superstitious and sometimes you make your own luck. 13 is just a number and I like everyone else will have to same chance for winning these books. Although soom people do seem to have more luck then others.

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    1. I agree, Quilt Lady. Some people do seem to have a inordinate amount of good luck. Random.org gives everybody the same odds of winning. I'll post the announcement tomorrow!

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  21. I am not afraid f 13 its my favorite number I have trouble with 3's and 9's good article

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  22. I don't really believe in bad luck or superstitions, but for some reason that doesn't stop me from knocking on wood! (Better safe than sorry, right?) LOL!

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  23. I am not superstitious but it does seem when I work on a Friday the 13th, it's usually a bad day.

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  24. I am not at all superstitious. I do like your idea about surrounding yourself with positive thoughts. Positive thinking has more chance of bringing "good luck" than negative & it will make you a happier person. Now I need to practice that!

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  25. If believing in Karma is superstitious, then I am! Everything has a place so don't be out of place! Good luck charm is a crystal i rec'd from my brother-in-law who so believed in the energy they give off! No fear of Friday the 13th...tosome its good luck! I don't change my routine just because its the 13th! ABSOLUTELY!! What could be bad about positive thoughts? Yes! I believe luck can strike twice!!!!! Helen Macdougall

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  26. I didn't even realize it was Friday the 13th until I came to this blog and it's late at night...so I'm good. LOL I don't really consider myself superstitious, but I can't seem to stop the habit of holding my breath when going by a cemetery. ;)

    Marcy Shuler

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  27. I had forgotten about the holding your breath thing, Marcy. We did that as kids. I love your town's cemetery. It's so pretty and peaceful. My parents, grandparents and many other relatives are there. It's like a family reunion when I visit. ;-)

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  28. LOL... the superstitions about Friday the 13th are so fun!!! I can't think of any to add. I don't believe in good or bad luck so nothing out of the ordinary done today :) Thanks for sharing!

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  29. I'm not really superstitious, but knocking on wood, etc. can't hurt. :D I don't have any particular superstitions except that sometimes talking about something you want can jinx it, so I try not to talk about things that are really important too much. I don't have a good luck charm - although I surround myself with turtles they don't seem to bring me any sort of extra luck. I don't fear Friday the 13th, although I look on it with a healthy dose of "being careful." I didn't do anything special to acknowledge the 13th, just went about my normal day. I believe surrounding myself with positive thoughts can't hurt, and it sure helps my outlook on life. And yes, I believe leaving a comment could earn me a wonderful prize. Hope it works. :D

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  30. I'm not normally concerned with a Friday the 13th, however, this year with a full moon. Full moons bring out crazy people and stimulate many births. At the hospital where I worked Emergency room and Delivery Rooms filled up.

    2013 was a horrendous year financially for us. Whatever could break did. We even had to be towed twice. So I now have healthy respect for the number 13.

    I don't go any where near black cats, I don't walk on sidewalk cracks. I do not walk under ladders.

    I had a lucky rabbit's foot through out my growing up years.

    I've never won a bag of your books. I do think positively about life and winning. Negative thoughts just make you feel bad. I like to be optimistic. If you don't try, you've already failed.

    My S-I-L was born on the 13th. Nothing bad has happened to her. Cross my fingers!

    Thanks PJ.

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