The Shiny Penny Theory

Most of the time, I keep a new, shiny penny in my right-hand pocket.

When I exit a store or the gym, I’ll look around, make sure no one is watching, and put the penny, heads up, a few feet from the entrance.

Now, think about this … if you’re walking along, look down, and see a shiny, heads-up penny — how do you react?

You probably bend right over to pick it up and your first thought is that you got lucky.

(Yes, I know — you negaholics are thinking, “OMG, I might catch bubonic fever by touching that!!!” REALLY??)

The tradition of a lucky penny, specifically one found heads-up, originates from ancient folklore that viewed metals as gifts from the gods to protect against evil. The belief evolved into a superstition where a penny face-up brings good luck, while a tails-up penny signifies bad luck and should be flipped over for another person. This is a variation of the well-known rhyme, “Find a penny, pick it up, all the day long you’ll have good luck.”

Now here’s where it gets good on my side — and yours if you try it.

As far as I’m concerned, if I put that penny down, it’s me doing a good deed because I’m setting it up for a total stranger to see the penny, pick it up, and believe they’ll have a good day.

I’ll never know who they are or what good will happen to them, but that’s sending good vibrations out into life — and there’s too little of that going on today.

So grab a penny and pass on the luck … it’ll make you smile.