I am from a culture where superstitions and astrology playing significant role on our daily life and our behaviour. For example, black cats are evil, and if one runs across in front of you it’s definitely a sign of bad luck. And if your astrological sign does not match with your spouse get ready for life with hardships.
I am Russian from Ukraine. I have a Russian friend who was dating an Italian guy. When my husband and I went to celebrate Christmas with them one year, the guys (my husband is Canadian) made fun of us and joked about the way we are knocking on wood in fear of “jinxes”, throwing salt behind us if it was spilled, or spitting three times over the left shoulder, after hearing or seeing or learning something horrible its customary to spit on the devil who is always on the left or after receiving a good news this ensures that the evil also doesn’t spoil it.
I didn’t find this amusing, but I realized how many things my culture created to explain life. The problem is I’ve realized that these superstitions were controlling me and were actually untrue. And hey, I am not here to argue or to convince you to change your beliefs. I am just telling you my story because all these things are still important to me, and my culture made me think and being curious.
It started when I met my husband; he is no stranger to the superstitions but was raised in Christian family and since birth he’s been very intelligent and super logical. He started to question me and challenged me on my superstitions. It was interesting because until these conversations, I never thought there might be another explanation to these situations because since birth everyone around me said and did the same thing. So, I never doubted, and I never questioned.
One time I told my husband not to go to the store in the evening. He said: “Because it’s Thursday and it’s bad luck to go after dark?” He was mocking me. “No, it’s 7pm and store is closed.” I laughed realizing that most of the time I do have interesting explanation. It made me think. Then I fell in love with black cat and now we have another black cat and every time he runs across, I must convince myself that nothing bad will happened. Most of the time it doesn’t! Over the years, I felt liberated from most of my beliefs thanks to my faith.
I still believe that everything happens for reason, and everything happens in the “right” time. I am still curious, but I don’t allow that to control me because there are so many possible explanations, and I am free to choose what I take and what and how I will act. I use everything to learn and to grow. I don’t look for explanations instead I am looking for meaning and what can I learn from it.
But I have to say some things are hard to unlearn. I have Chinese friend who told me many years ago that in his culture, the number four means “death”. From that day I started to be afraid or feeling uneasy or even avoid this number. I did notice that and was annoyed that it has a hold on to me.
This new 2023 year it came to me in so many different forms and so often that I couldn’t deny that God is trying to get my attention. This is one way, I believe, God “speaks” to me. Then I heard somewhere on social media about spiritual significance of number four, and today I googled the meaning. There were so many different things, as usual, but I picked these two. It corollate with where I am going this year and it gives me peace.
I asked, “What’s the spiritual significance of the number four?”
The first one was: “Four is the number of support and stability, so it’s about rooting down and taking care of yourself and your life. Different areas of stability: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. “
Another one: “Bible, biblical number 4 means creation. This number directly relates to the creative ability of God.” On the fourth day God created the Sun, Moon, and Stars! This year I am in the process of creating my teaching course, working on receiving Life Coach license, and having speaking engagements and interviews where I am sharing my story to inspire, encourage and offer hope.
This is a big year for me, and I feel like God is saying to me: “Make sure to have physical, emotional, mental and spiritual stability.” My support and stability are rooted in the Word of God, The Bible. My life now is built on what God says instead what culture says. I have freedom. This is actually my word for this year. Freedom. Freedom of choice, freedom from worry and fear, freedom of building and creating. Everything has a meaning and significance; it’s for me to decide what to believe and what I believe in will come to fruition. I choose a new significance of the number four.
Stay Healthy, Vigilant, and Safe. Love&BLoved.
Lena Cebula 