I am a very superstitious person. I was brought up to be so. I’m not outrageously superstitious that it controls my daily life. However, if I spot a ladder up ahead, I make sure to not walk under it. In case you didn’t know, it’s bad luck to walk under a ladder. Supposedly, a ladder resembles the gallows, and supposedly ancient Egyptians believed that the space between the ladder and the leaning wall was home to both good and bad spirits. Thus, it’s best to leave the space alone. Don’t disturb it. Hence, I avoid them. Well, I avoid them because my mom told me to do so.

Another thing my mother taught me is that you don’t want to jinx things. Sometimes, when you say certain things, it may trigger the universe to act. Thus, be careful what you put out into the universe. And, knock on wood. Specifically, you knock on wood in order to avoid bad luck, either when you mention good luck that you have had in the past or when you mention hopes you have for the future.

Hence, this time of the year is very tricky. You start reflecting and note the good stuff and note what bad stuff didn’t happen. (yet). Lately, I’ve had to do many end-of-the-year presentations with an eye on the next year. And, throughout these presentations, I have often stopped and made everyone knock on wood. And, people actually followed along. That, I find amusing. So, knock, knock on wood.