Overcoming “Friday the 13th” Fears

3641c531ba98e18b2dc0ceefc9e37ab3Today is an auspicious day for me. My first blog post ever, which just so happens to fall on Friday the 13th. I admit that the pressure of keeping up with an ever evolving social media scene raises some fears in me. I wonder if I will be any good at this thing called “blogging” or, more importantly, will I have anything worthwhile to say which might inspire others?

Years ago, while still practicing as a clinical psychologist, I had a client come in on Friday the 13th and wish me a happy “Triskaidekaphobia”. I had never heard the word before. They hadn’t covered this particular phobia in graduate school—“fear of the number 13”. So the irony of all this is that I am choosing to face my fear of writing this blog on the 13th. There are just no coincidences in life.

Which got me to wondering why so many people universally avoid the number 13? Even buildings tend to eliminate the 13th floor on elevator banks and call it the 14th instead. Why are we so superstitious about this one simple number? Since numbers totally fascinated me after my near-death experience, I decided to look into the matter further.

The number 13 is actually what the ancients refer to as a “Karmic” number. It symbolizes the forces of upheaval leading to revealing new ground. In other words, CHANGE. Change in general is a primary fear for every man. It encompasses the unknown. It puts us through tests and trials as we strive for greater spiritual consciousness.

Let’s look at the number 13 by breaking it down. The number 1 is associated with new beginnings. The number 3 is a sacred number (in my opinion) and symbolizes communication, self-expression, creativity, expansion, growth and manifestation. You put 1 and 3 together and you have great promise. You have God-given blessings in disguise. Out of one’s fear can come liberation and so today I am facing my fear of blogging. And you know what—this entry just flowed out of me and I actually enjoyed it!  www.trinfinity8.com

Dr. Kathy Forti is a clinical psychologist, inventor, and author of the new book, Fractals of God.   amazon.com/author/kathyforti

 

2 replies
  1. Linda Carol Adrienne
    Linda Carol Adrienne says:

    I am going to have to share this one! Not everyone feels as good about that day as I do… and it was a full honey moon to boot this year!

    By the way, I love the title of your blog!!!!! All I have to do is think about it and I get a huge smile on my face!

    In Loving Gratitude for you!
    Linda Carol

    Reply
  2. Alicia
    Alicia says:

    Hi!
    Loved the story! There is so much symbology into the number 13th that one could get immerse into a fascinating study by deepening the knowledge about it. This number is close to my heart as my daddy was born on a thirteenth day of a month. It also is the number of the Virgin Mary for those who believe in her. It is also the number of the Death card in the Tarot which all it means is “new beginning” of something. That is, something goes away (dies) and room for the new comes in. When we transform our old “me” dies and the new ‘me” emerges. In your case the fear of blogging died and the new you emerged while daring to start and write a blog! Congratulations!
    In love and kindness,
    Alicia

    Reply

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