Superstitions are irrational beliefs arising from ignorance or fear; superstitions equal unhappiness.
When Stevie Wonder wrote the 1973 hit song “Superstition,” he was illustrating a vitally important truth: “When you believe in things you don’t understand, you suffer / Superstition ain’t the way.” Unfortunately, most people do not understand what a real superstition is. This misunderstanding can predispose you to lifelong unhappiness. You know that walking under a ladder, having a black cat cross your path, or breaking a mirror will not bring you bad luck. You know these are superstitions; therefore, they have no real power over you. A “real” superstition is when you unquestionably believe in something that does not work. Real superstitions can completely alter your life. Let’s begin with a story that illustrates the dangers of a superstition. Then we will explore how to eliminate the greatest source of unhappiness.
The father of our country died because of a superstition. In 1799, George Washington developed a sore throat. Three days later, he was dead due to the common medical practice of that era called “bloodletting.” Bloodletting was the removal of large amounts of blood to release the evil spirits and bad humors that were thought to be the cause of all disease. Despite having the best doctors, his fate was predetermined, as is yours depending on the superstitions you believe in.
