You do have a lucky number. Everyone does.

You know how you once in a while met someone with the SAME birthday as yours? Well, there must be even more people with the same lucky number as yours.

There are 365 days in a year, and I imagine that most people chose a lucky number between 1 and 100. So, you are about 3x as likely to meet someone with the same lucky number as you are meeting someone with the same birthday.

If your lucky number is between 1 and 30, you are especially “lucky” because you will live a whole lucky day each month.

My lucky number happens to be 22. I can't remember when I chose that number — perhaps it was during my baseball-youth, when a player I liked had that number. At any rate, I see and hear about 22's from time to time. And each time, I say to myself (or out loud) “WOW — it's a 22 — that must be lucky!

My lucky number helps me to stay healthy. When I go to the YMCA to swim, I make sure I stay in the water for — you guessed it — 22 minutes.

Now that I've written this essay, I'll try to ask people for their lucky numbers. When I encounter someone with the same lucky number, I'll let you know if I like that person more than most people I meet.

How about if we all wore lucky number badges? Can you imagine meeting someone with the same number in the market? What an opportunity to strike up a new friendship!

The upshot is: Pay attention to your lucky number as you meander your way through the day. The benefits just may surprise you.

Finally, let me guess your lucky number — it's 53!

I'll bet all of you 53's and 22's will be emailing me at: robertebsen@hotmail.com