If you asked me openly, I’d say I’m not a superstitious person.

But when I answered the question for myself it sounded something like this:

‘I’m not superstitious. But I do believe…ohhhhh’.

There is it. I’m more superstitious than I thought. I think my issue is the word ‘superstitious’ carries a lot of negativity with it.

I don’t dabble in astology, amulets, crystals or magic (although who doesn’t wish they had magic powers!). And this is not to criticise these forms, it’s just something I personally don’t ever engage with.

But I realised there are a few superstitious beliefs hidden up my sleeve that to me feel quite real.

Fate

In my life and in the lives of others I’ve genuinely seen stars align in a way that no one involved could plan. The old saying ‘where one door closes, a window opens’, happens more than I think people realise. Some elements in peoples lives seem to just fall in place, no matter what anyone tries to create themselves. Is that fate? Seems a lot like it.

Luck

This is especially noticeable when you look at geography and demographics. It is entirely lucky that some people are born into certain communities or families, some wealthier than others, some born with a better family history of health than others. There is inherant luck involved in these circumstances, for no one can design where they are born and the circumstances of their life as children. Likewise when people are struck by terrible bad luck, whether that’s a health crisis or a sudden change in circumstances that could not have been forseen. This one works both ways.

Spirits

Now this one is probably where people will stop reading. Spirits? Really? It’s usually followed by the wiggling of fingers either side of your face and a ‘woooooo’ exiting your mouth. But the way I think about spirits is what happens with our spirits when we die. When a loved one passes I do believe that the best parts of them live on in those they loved and left behind. Your grandmothers tenacity? You’ve probably got a smattering of that within you. Your brothers jokes and humour? You’ll carry that with you wherever you go, even if it’s just in your memory. To me this is the carrying on of spirits into the lives of everyone who was once surrounding a person. It’s beautiful, if I’m being honest.

One of the greatest examples of this in my mind is the well-documented end-of-life visions that many patients witness as they near death. In case you are unaware many hospice nurses and loved ones have watched on as those in end of life care appear to “see” a loved one from their lifetime, often someone who has passed before them. I genuinely love to hear this, because it’s as if the after life is providing a bridge or a gateway to let us know that things will be OK, and this is the way to go.

But I’d love to hear your thoughts! We all view these things so differently. Comment and let me know.

Have a good week!

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