By Big Idea Facilitator, Robbi Hess

I believe in ghosts. I believe there is an afterlife. I have always wanted to see Big Foot and UFOs. I listen to Coast To Coast radio in the middle of my sleepless nights. Black cats? If I had one I'd be kissing it today -- well, I'd be kissing it everyday, but that's not the point! 

My point? Why the fear over Friday the 13th? Is it because of the slasher movie? Is there some truly precendented event in your life or the lives of others that makes you want to stay in bed with the covers pulled up over your head on this day, as compared to any other thirteenth or Friday? 

Am I superstitious? Yep. Do I listen to my gut instincts? You betcha. If I get that, "I've got a bad feeling about this" feeling about something, I avoid it. There are times I get a bad feeling but I don't know why. It may take me an hour or two or even a day to be able to truly intuit what made me fearful or uncomfortable. I rarely will push forward and push the "I have a bad feeling about this" out of my mind. I trust myself. Do I sometimes find out that it was ridiculous to have avoided something because of my "feelings"? Yes, definitely. Do I care? Not a bit. 

If I can't trust myself and my own gut feelings, who can I trust? 

Embrace Friday The Thirteenth

As superstitions go, if you walk under a ladder you'll have bad luck? Why would you ever walk under a ladder? If a black cat crosses your path you will have bad luck? Break a mirror and you will have years of bad luck? Those, my friends, are the power of intention and of your mind. 

If you think it, it may come to pass. If I wake up and say to myself, "Today is going to SUCK." Guess what? It will! If I wake up and say, "I can't wait to face today's challenges. It's going to be great!" Then guess what? It will be a great day. 

I am a firm believer that what you think of can come to pass. I don't know that I truly believe that if I wake up and say, "I want a million dollars, that that will happen." But I do believe that if I wake up and set my intention to, "I want a new car so I need a few new clients" then I am opening the door, and my mind, to the possibilities. 

Being more open to opportunities. Having the gumption to say to a colleague, "Hey if you know anyone who wants to hire me, let me know!" If you don't ask and if you don't know what you want, you will continue to be stuck in the mire. 

My attitude has changed since I have had breast cancer. I put good intentions to the world. I count my blessings. I wake up every day thinking (and setting that intention) that today is going to be a great day and guess what! It usually is. 

Sure there are days, that no matter how good my intention will simply suck the life out of you. On those days, when I write in my gratitude journal I may struggle to find something to be grateful for. There are those days when my gratitude journal entry is, "My coffee creamer isn't curdled. When I ran into the coffee table I didn't break a toe." Hey, it's better than a sharp stick in the eye. 

What other reasons make me embrace the thirteenth? My daughter was born on the 13th; my husband was born on the 13th; my daughter's fiance was born on the 13th. Those are three great reasons for loving this day -- regardless of whether it has a Friday attached to it. My take aways? My favorite number is three AND who doesn't love a Friday? 

Go forth and have an amazing Friday The Thirteenth!