Good luck charms and the like

[Slithytoves]

I don't necessarily believe that carrying a certain item around with me will bring good luck, but I do have a couple of little things clipped onto the bag I carry, and I feel like something's missing without them. Today at the grocery store checkout, I was surprised to be asked by the woman behind me why I have my little "dudes". No stranger had ever asked me about them before. She was genuinely interested. It turned into a whole conversation.

Does anybody here carry some sort of charm or other object with you when you're out, or have one hanging in your car? What is it? Where did you get it? Does it have a name? Why is it meaningful to you?

These are my "dudes". The green Ugly Doll is suitably nameless. A deceased friend of mine bought him at dockside gift shop in Massachusetts because he looked like I was feeling after my first day of sailing on rough water, and I love him even more now that he's getting pretty beat up. The little string doll is Xobilé, pronounced with an African Bushman's click for the "X". He was a goodbye gift from a film actor I worked for briefly, who called me The Warrior for the way I dealt with problematic fans (as his assistant at sci-fi/horror conventions).

If I ever lost either of my charms, I'd be seriously sad.

 

[Harrison]

I have a little green 'laughing buddha' in my car along with a stone that has been in every vehicle I have owned since I was 16. Not sure that they bring good luck though, just some things are hard to get rid of

 

[Aspergirl4hire]

I've been messed up for nearly a year since I got separated from a plain black leather pouch that held my primary fountain pen. It wasn't fun customizing a new pen's nib, but I've never gotten over the missing pouch, which was a design no longer for sale anywhere. I bought it knowing hard times were coming and it was my "last luxury" and something I wore as jewelry and as a personal icon.

No name, no logo, but didn't need a name to carry a piece of my soul. It looked as if it could house a tiny weapon, or medicine, and whenever it had my pen in it, it did both.

 

[Spiller]

My 21 year-olds' first booties have hung on the rear-view mirror of every car I've had for the last 20 years.. they're sun-bleached pink now, where they were once fawny-brown.. but my car is my safe space for them hanging there..
I also carry a rose-quartz, a torch and a compass, as I don't feel complete otherwise.

 

[tree]

These are my "dudes". The green Ugly Doll is suitably nameless. A deceased friend of mine bought him at dockside gift shop in Massachusetts because he looked like I was feeling after my first day of sailing on rough water, and I love him even more now that he's getting pretty beat up.


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"Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."

The Velveteen Rabbit, by M. Williams

 

[Judge]

I never leave the house without four pennies in my pocket. Other change doesn't matter.

Otherwise I could be subject to unintended and improbable consequences which never made any sense to start with.

 

[Tom]

I think I would like to have one but every time I tried I lose it.

 

[Etzelaire]

My only lucky charm is an inscription on my tennis racquets: keep pushing, all is mental.
Hahaha it really does help.

 

[Slithytoves]

I think I would like to have one but every time I tried I lose it.

Interesting. Maybe your charm has to find you, instead of you finding it? Trying could be the problem!

 

[tree]

Many of the clients at the activity center (where I worked with developmentally disabled/delayed adults) enjoyed learning new things.
One fellow said he liked to have Math Lessons because: "It will improve my luck at Bingo."
Definitely true. If you can easily recognize the numbers, you stand a better chance at finding them on your Bingo card.

I don't have any good luck charms. I have a couple of utilitarian comfort items in my bag when I am away from home.
A bottle of water with peppermint oil in it. A small card with the first 100 digits of PI written on it.
The bottle of water for when I am thirsty/don't feel well; the card for times of involuntary waiting.

 

[Suzanne]

I sucked my thumb right up til I was 40 year's old and my comfort rag would go every where with me, if I were not so conscious of other's opinions. But lol my husband on getting into bed and finding me in a panic, because I could not find my rag, would say: is this what you are looking for and tease me about it, but never nasty. I finally no longer suck my thumb lol

I do not call this my charms or anything, but I would certainly panic if I went out without them. My passport, my purse ( which is empty lol), my little bible and my pocket knife that has some practical things attached. A small bottle of sanitizer and some toilet paper, because here in France, they have no idea what hygiene is and so, public toilets are disgusting! Oh and my little teddy key ring that I would not be without; so practical when I can't find my keys and his name is: Thomas and a present from my husband about 10 year's ago, I guess.

I do not believe in good luck things, because I am a christian; my faith goes to my Creator

 

[Tom]

Interesting. Maybe your charm has to find you, instead of you finding it? Trying could be the problem!

That is an interesting thought!