Signs and Wonders

A superstitious belief has the power to affect how people go about their
everyday lives and how they even go out of their way to protect or enhance
their future. Although Friday the 13th did not directly impact decision-making in one study, mood states were found to be significantly lower on Friday the 13th relative to moods on Friday the 20th.

Additionally, negative mood states significantly predicted safer decision-making on a
risky decision-making task. The finding suggested that Friday the 13th
may have had an indirect impact on decision-making. * Friday the 13th: How Superstitions, Luck and Mood Influence Decision Making. (https://minds.wisconsin.edu)

I don’t get on an airplane unless I’m wearing my ancient wooden Buddha and my gold hand of g-d. Actually, I don’t do anything risky unless I’m wearing my totems. I wasn’t always this way, but before I acquired my Buddha and Hamsa, I was firmly committed to ideas of karma, fate, premonition, and luck. It’s not that I don’t believe I can change the course of events, and even outcomes, but generally I believe my first instincts are my best instincts and derive from my preordained life story. Change course, change the story, and you change the outcome.

Last week, at 80, I was scheduled for a mini-face lift. I had been dickering about doing it for the past several years. I had three cosmetic surgeries in the past without giving it much thought—I wanted it more than I feared getting it. This time was different. I feared a negative consequence more than I wanted the potential enhancement. The possible cost was more than the benefit. But…I was going to do it. I put on my totems, went to the office for surgery, my blood pressure spiked, and I cancelled the procedure. The surgeon said that I could reschedule. I replied, “No.” I have great blood pressure. For me this was the sign.

Maybe finding classified documents in Biden’s home and office, compromising the Trump prosecution, will be Biden’s sign that he needs to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race. Unfortunately, Biden acknowledging this is like the starship in Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy taking on the appearance of a large pink elephant at a cricket match. Because he can see it, yet it is so inconceivable to him, his mind can’t accept it. Therefore, ignoring it comes naturally.

President Biden, it’s a sign: time to move aside.