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My Obsession with the Number 23

A good number of people have asked why I seem to be so obsessed with the number twenty-three.  I’ll devote a few paragraphs here to give you the condensed version of why the prime number has become a big part of my life.  I don’t expect anyone to claim any significance the way I have, but will ask for a few minutes of your time to give you some background.

For twenty-five of my twenty-nine years in the public school classroom, math was one of the subjects I taught.  To be honest, I never really was that good in math, but my struggle to understand concepts I believe helped me to reach those that were going through similar struggles.  It was the “I’ve been where you are and know how you feel” mentality.  So it suffices to say numbers have always been an important part of my life.

About eight years ago, I was going through a particularly difficult time in my life and to be honest, not a whole lot of anything made any sense.  Separation and eventual divorce, recovery from addiction, and general upheaval has a way of doing that to you.  A fellow teacher, noting that I was really struggling, suggested I take up the hobby of numerology.  While I wasn’t a person that put a whole lot of store in what the numerologists seemed to be implying, it did peak my interest.  Somewhere along the way, I discovered the number twenty-three kept showing up over and over in my life.  That was the seed it took for me to study the number even further.

During my “investigation” I found out that both of my parents were twenty-three years old when I was born.  I was conceived in 1958 and those digits sum to twenty-three as well.  My son is twenty-three years younger than I am and my daughter was born on my sister’s twenty-third birthday.  Needless to say, the beginning of life is important to all and the presence of those numbers at my life’s beginning was too obvious to ignore.  * Note – I can say with some certainty that I was conceived on October 9, 1958, but I don’t want to raise your skepticism too early.

I also took a look at my birthdate in its numerical form:  7/6/1959.  If you sum the first four digits, you get twenty-three.  If you sum the last two digits, you get 14.  Since I am a person of the Christian faith, I began to look at the 23-14 combinations I could find in the Bible.  The first reading that seemed to have significance was Numbers 23:14.  It was there I found the name of the church I attend, Mt. Pisgah.

The next significant passage came from 2 Samuel 23:14, which contains the name “David” and “Bethlehem”.  David is the name I was given at birth and Bethlehem is the name of the town where Mt. Pisgah is located.  The most puzzling verse is Matthew 23:14.  In most translations of the Bible it’s not listed.  The Gospel of Matthew goes from 23:13 to 23:15.

So what did I take from all this you might ask? In a time during my life when not a whole lot was making any sense, I turned to God to find meaning.  I was fortunate enough to be raised in a home where church was an important element.  But it wasn’t until this difficult time in life when any of it began to take hold.  The different scriptures gave me assurance and bolstered my faith to the fact that God knew exactly what was going on in my life.  He had been there at the beginning and I had no reason to question He was still with me now.

So each time I see the number twenty-three, it’s like a “wink from God” that says amidst the chaos of my life, He is ever present…. He always has been and He always will be.  Now do I sometimes carry it a bit too far?  Perhaps so, but it’s something that I’ve held onto during the darkest valleys of life and I’m not about to let go.  I know some may think it’s pure nonsense and insignificant, but then it was God talking to me through a language He knew that I would understand and pay attention to.

And that my friends is the short version.  There are a lot of other situations that the number has kept showing up.  I just have to smile and know that there is One that knows me and will always have my best interest in mind.

David Lee

Whatever Does It Mean? – Glass Shattering

Upon my arrival at the cafe this morning, one of the baristas shared that she was moving a glass bottle when it suddenly shattered. Being the type person I am, I told her that I would investigate what possible meaning that event might have. The following is what I found….

One might would think glass shattering would be a bad omen. Yet despite the cut she received on her hand, it would seem the barista has perhaps hit upon good fortune.

  • Necessary Change or Transition – It could be a sign that there is necessary change or transition occurring in a person’s life. I think the key word there is “necessary”….While change can bring about an uncomfortable feeling at times, it is a necessary component in all of our lives. Transition is a part of all of nature and nowhere more evident than the changing of seasons that is soon upon us. Let us embrace the changes that are ultimately bound to occur in life.
  • Impending Good Luck – Definitely a good omen by this measure. While I wouldn’t consider it a lucky as finding a heads-up penny or feather, it’s not for me to say.
  • Releasing Negative Energy – This is the one I like better than the others. I think we each one can feel a fair amount of stored up negative energy. And from time-to-time, it helps to release some of this energy. While I can think of creative ways to accomplish this, say through exercise or creative writing, I can easily see how symbolic shattering glass might be.

Is It or Isnt’ It? – It very well could be both…

I like to apply the above thought experiment to a real-life situation.

Let’s suppose you’re out and about and think you see someone you know. From your point of view, it’s not real obvious as to whether or not it’s this person…or not.

You can then use Schrodinger’s Cat experiment to solve your quandry:

  • It IS indeed to the person you believe it to be. Then you’ll decide whether or not you want to make an attempt to interact with them.
  • It ISN’T the person you believe it to be, therefore decreasing the likelihood you’ll interact with them.

I like to call it a “perspective of the mind.” I can go forward thinking that it really was that person and deal with all the thoughts and images that conjures up. Or I can, at the same time, think it was just someone who resembled that person and the meeting was inconsequential.

Either way, the sighting can produce a combination of thoughts and emotions that are necessary for growth.

If you’d like to explore this concept further: https://youtu.be/vYlZoKIfZcM?si=m1-9wz8R2K96HHIX

David Lee

Lenten Reflection for March 6th

Psalm 107: 28 Then they cry out to the LORD in their trouble,
And He brings them out of their distresses.
29 He calms the storm,
So that its waves are still.

We are reminded in today’s reading that there is One who is with us in the tempest of the storms that we experience in life. He is the Good Shepherd and leads us to still waters.

We must remember that there is one who has all power and we can turn to Him in any circumstances. We often forget this fact when all around us are screaming and panicking…we forget the one who looks at calm and distress as if they were one in the same.

So as we go about our days, let us remember there is ALWAYS one we can call on for guidance, wisdom, and strength to face whatever lies ahead and to give us the peace that passes all understanding.

David Lee

Exploration: “The Red Thread”

The red thread theory (or Red Thread of Fate) is an East Asian belief that an invisible, unbreakable cord connects those destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstances. Originating from Chinese mythology, it posits that this thread, which may tangle or stretch, ties people to their soulmates or significant life connections. Bloom | Empowering the Military TeenBloom | Empowering the Military Teen +4

Key Aspects of the Red Thread Theory:

  • Origin: Rooted in Chinese legend, specifically the myth of Yuè Xià Lǎorén (the old lunar matchmaker god), who ties this cord around the ankles of those destined to be together.
  • Symbolism: The thread represents an unbreakable connection, symbolizing fate and destiny. While often associated with romantic soulmates, it can also represent deep, fated connections between people.
  • Key Phrase: The thread “may stretch or tangle, but it will never break”.
  • Cultural Variations: While originating in China (often tied to ankles), Japanese, Korean, and other Asian legends also feature this belief, sometimes focusing on the pinky finger or thumb.
  • Metaphorical Use: The “Red Thread” is often used to describe a cohesive element that links disparate parts together, such as in storytelling or even in interior design as a common, repeating theme. WikipediaWikipedia +6

Key Interpretations:

  • Fate & Destiny: It emphasizes that connections are pre-ordained and inevitable.
  • Resilience: The belief offers hope that despite life’s obstacles, separations, or time, true connections will remain.
  • Soulmates: It is frequently cited as the reason for an instant, deep, or profound connection with someone, often described as a “twin flame” or kindred spirit. Bloom | Empowering the Military TeenBloom | Empowering the Military Teen +4

Two Weeks In….

I’m two weeks in to my hiatus from social media, namely Facebook. As with past breaks, I found it to be easier with the passage of time. I have been writing on this blog quite a bit and have explored other ways to spend my time. I found yet another video that features another group of peope taking time away from social media. I share this is the link below.

David Lee