I’ve noticed a phenomenon with myself and numbers:
- I can remember one thing even under the worst of circumstances.
- I can remember three things or less under stress.
- I can remember five things or less when I concentrate.
- I can’t depend on myself to remember any more than that.
A designer once told me that humans are attracted to odd numbers and that makes sense to me. I find these numbers appealing, perhaps this is why I remember them more easily. Also, these numbers are very related to each other.
- One thing is one thing.
- Three things is an introduction, one thing, and a chaser.
- Five is an introduction, three things, and a chaser.
Even in sentences, I like these numbers. The weather right now is dreary. It is dull, gray, and unending. One cannot tell the time of day. Do you see how that works? I couldn’t leave off that last weather-sentence if I tried (and I tried).
As a result of observing this pattern, I often set five goals per week, three goals per day, and, when I can remember to, I work on one task at a time. I keep my daily routines to five items or less. I have more than five inboxes on the internet to check which is, I’m convinced, the reason why I’m always behind on email.
Other reasons to like these numbers:
Five can be counted on your fingers.
Three is how many wishes you’ll get if you rub that antique lamp just right.
One is the number of people that are wonderful in the exact way that you are.
I just LOVED your post !!!
My favourite figure is 8. I don’t know why. And i’ve always liked that 2×4 =8.
I must be crazy, but i don’t care
1, 3, 5 magic hugs from full of snow Paris !
Frenchy Baguette
Dear Frenchy,
Yay, thank you!!! 8 reminds me of infinity, probably because it looks like the sign. So you can have an infinity of overcast, bus-riding, tea-drinking hugs from Seattle
x00000000
Adena
Who is Frenchy Baguette? I want that to be my name : ( J/k. I like your post too and am wondering how many wishes I’ll get if I rub my new LED kitchen lamp just right. My guess is it would be somewhere in the negative numbers… And I don’t want to know how many cookies I’ve eaten, no matter how homemade and delicious the are. Miss you!
Dearest Lela,
Who wouldn’t want to be Frenchy? I completely understand. Meanwhile, I imagine your LED lamp will procure you some full-spectrum wishes. This is probably very integral to the wishing experience; I’m sure you’re in for a treat.
If the cookies were homemade, then they probably came from one batch, in which case, every individual cookie you ate is really just a facet of the entire batch. One cookie. Also, there is no separation in the universe; you, me, the dough, we are all one. Therefor, you shared one cookie with the entire universe. You’re practically a saint!
I can’t wait to see you! I want to make us ice cream!
My number has always been 3. It keeps coming up time and time again during a long life. It is special to me. So, I hope 3 good things happen to you today.
Dear Boyd,
Three is so special, isn’t it? When I was writing this post, I skimmed an article outlining how important this number is to Celtic mythology.
Thank you for your wishes–I’ll let you know the results. Meanwhile
I hope you encounter three miracles!
I too love the name Frenchy Baguette, but Frenchy, the snow we’ve had here in Paris cold hardly be described as “full”.
Okay, this is getting out of hand–Frenchy, you have charmed my entire blog readership
Lady and Gentleman, may I present Frenchy Baguette–author of the blog by the same name, among other exciting things 
Frenchy is my kindest, smartest, funniest curly-haired French friend, but don’t get her started on Gossip Girls!
Thanks you so much Adena
OMG ! (Well, that sounds so American and so un-French…).
How could I expect so many compliments and questions tonight as I was checking if Adena had answered my message ?
Who am I ?
Good Question !
I am French, I grew up in Toulouse (Sth of France, near Spain), I live in Paris, I was lucky enough to study in great places and to work with nice people, I am fond of culture, I am a happy blogger.
AND I am very grateful I met Adena this summer
But does it really matter who I am in reality, what my job is, where I precisely live ?
I care about privacy (specially on the internet, where Facebook, our Big Brother, is watching us).
Most of all I think that our acts, thoughts & artistic creations are far more important than any social, personal or professional status.
As for my name… In fact it was hard to find. I wanted something in English but still very French. I am so glad you like it !
Hugs from full-of-snow France AND now deprived-from-snow Paris !
Boyd, you were right !
Long-life to artists and tea-drinkers !
Frenchy Baguette
PS : Since many American people may read this blog, I would like to correct very BIG clichés about Europe :
- We have tap water everywhere (cold and hot !).
- We have electricity too.
- Our streets are made with asphalt.
- We have clothes, shoes, soap, shampoo and cosmetics.
In France :
- It is true that debates, strikes and complaints are our national sport… whereas we don’t see every day that we are priviledged people.
–> Paying a lot to get medical cares is inconceivable for us. Even if it means that we have to contribute a lot to our national health system.
–> Illimited internet + ilimited phone calls in 60 countries + TV = 29,90€…
Thank you so much Frenchy! Long live artists everywhere!
I think the comments section is way more interesting than the post at this point
Hi Adena
What an unusual and interesting topic.
The number 3 is the one most quoted in Public Speaking.
All speeches have a beginning, a middle and an end.
Never try and make more than three points – the audience can only remember three things.
To emphasise a point use short phrases in clusters of three… “I want you to think, to act, and to get results”.
Wherever you look in the world of Public Speaking, you will find the number 3.
Thank you Keith!
How cool to see one of my magic numbers in action. And to know that I’m not the only person whose memory is limited to three
What’s with this threes thing anyway? It’s uncanny!
Frenchy: We also need to tell Americans that they can drink the tap water without getting sick, and that wine is cheaper than Coke.
And Keith: I was a high school and college debater, and there were always three points to support every argument, and three arguments to support every proposition.
Neat!
wow, what a comment section! As a European (Irish and proud!) I would also like to add to Frenchy’s list that we don’t use horse and carts anymore and don’t have thatched roofs…some of my favourite questions about home when I lived in the States
Beautiful article Adena! My favourite number is 9…a multiple of 3, very important in celtic culture as you said, the last of the single digits and I was always fascinated by the 9 times tables and how all the answers made 9 when their digits were added together…fabulous!
I know, right? This comment section is so much fun!
But really? Collegiate Americans thought the Irish were still commuting via quadruped and buggy?
So scary!
I love nine too Parisa–that multiplication finger trick probably enabled my passage through elementary school
9 is my second favorite number. I lived in the same house from birth until I went away to college and the street address was 909; our telephone number was 289-9749. I walked 9 blocks to school. My first car was a 1949 Ford. My first kiss from a girl was when we were both 9 years old. I’ll stop there.
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I just love these sort of congruencies! Thanks for sharing
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