Friday The 13th

Today was a beautiful sunny day in Austin. It was crisp and cool in the morning, with some wonderful sunshine during the day. It was just like many other winter days in central Texas.

But wait – oh my, it is Friday the 13th! [insert ominous background music here]. Run, run, run for your life!

There are an estimated 17 to 21 million people in the United States that are affected by a fear of Friday the 13th. That amounts to about 5% of the U.S. population.

Holy friggatriskaidekaphobia, Batman!

With numbers like that, I feel fortunate to have survived a day like today. Apparently, it is a daunting task for many. How did I ever manage to make it through the most feared day and date in history?

One has to wonder how many unlucky things truly happen on Friday the 13th. Some believe that it is actually a safer day to be on the roads than other Fridays. Maybe the crazy drivers just stay off the roads on Friday the 13th.

How many unlucky things are simply self-fulfilling prophecies? If you think something will happen, it just might. Could this date be a fine example of the power of the mind?

I have always chosen to view Friday the 13th as an exceptional day with a positive outlook. Though many traditionally look at it with fear, I view it with excitement. This month, it marks the first day of my 9th year of self employment. That makes this Friday the 13th a little extra special.

Fear not, oh paraskevidekatriaphobians – based on the 2012 calendar, we have 3 Friday the 13ths this year, and all in a leap year no less. That, my friends, won’t happen again until the year 2040. Imagine this – they are 13 weeks apart [cue scary music again]. And for those that are really concerned about the number 13, consider this: the date of December 21, 2012 is allegedly the end of the world - the final day of the 13th b'ak'tun - on the Mayan Calendar.

For now, I am going to enjoy this Friday the 13th – and the two others this year. It is all in how you choose to look at things, I guess.

Photo credits: Wikipedia