There are a number of things that are believed to be signs of bad luck according to superstition like black cats, walking under a ladder, and Friday the 13th. Actually, anything to do with the number 13 seems to elicit fear. Triskaidekaphobia is the name for this irrational fear and it seems to stem from one of the world’s oldest legal documents, The Code of Hammurabi, which reportedly omitted the 13th law. Ironically the omission appears to have been simply a clerical error.

The fear of 13, especially Friday the 13th, might seem silly but it results in a financial loss in the US in excess of $800 million annually as people avoid marrying, traveling or in the most severe cases, even working. Most high rises don’t have a 13th floor and the vast majority of hotels, hospitals, and airports avoid using the number for gates and rooms. But the truth is the fear of 13 is just a belief system. 13 is no more unlucky than 12 or 4 or any other number.

19 years ago I fell in love with the number 13. I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl who was born on May 13th at 1:13pm, and she weighed 9 lbs 13 oz. She shattered my belief that 13 could ever be unlucky. What beliefs are you carrying that really aren’t true? Is it that you aren’t good enough, smart enough, or rich enough? Guess what? Your belief about you and your abilities is as true as the #13 being unlucky—and that negative belief is holding you back! Can you let it go?

With Gratitude,
Beth

P.S. Happy Birthday to my very favorite #13!!