When we launched our new Friends with Benefits subscription programs, a number of people asked if we chose $18 as amount for a yearly subscription because 18 is a lucky number. “No, we didn’t.” we said, Tell us more!”.
We learned that in Judaism, the word and symbol for 18 is Chai which means “life”. According to the ancient system of gematria, the letters of chai add up to 18, making it a spiritual number in Judaism. Many people give gifts of money in multiples of 18, for good luck.
Interesting that, without knowing it, we chose the symbol for “life” for Improvised Life.
When she became a Friends with Benefits, artist Sue Fierston emailed us about her experience with “18”:
What caught my eye about the contributon amount is that you chose $18, and I have based the price of my paintings on a multiple of that number for several years. I first tried it when I exhibited at the Lombardi Cancer Center, here in DC…I thought, “What could be better for these patients than some luck?” The first time I did it, the paintings sold immediately, giving me my first sold-out show.
Please subscribe and help us find out if $18 is REALLY a lucky number! ($18 comes out to a teeny $1.50/day.)
And if you’re feeling generous, here are some lucky multiples of 18: 36, 54, 72, 90, 108………
Meanwhile, check out Sue Fierston’s art and see the company you’re in. We especially love her Sierra Club blogs about The Beauty of Maps and especially about how NOT to be intimidated by drawing.
I just want to reiterate – Improvised Live is SO important to me. It is one of the first emails I read every morning – except when you take time away. Then I go to the website and go to Surprise Me and start from there. I am never disappointed.
It is an honor to be a member. Thank you, thank you for the richness you add to my life.
I am knocked out by the very generous comments and messages as well as many new memberships. It is heartening to hear how Improvised Life resonates, and feels like some kind of fuel. Thank you ALL deeply.