Leave Something To Wish For

I once heard a quote that really put the concept of wishing into perspective for me. “Always leave something to wish for; otherwise you will be miserable from your very happiness.” – Baltasar Gracian.

With nothing left to wish for, what do you have to work toward? Regardless, there are a few things I’d ask for if I came across a magic lamp.

My first wish would be to be able to provide for my family. My family is the most important thing in my life.  My parents raised me to remember that when everyone else is gone, family will still be there. We’re not poor by any means. I’ve always had nice things and a roof over my head, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have money troubles. My sisters have both gone on to start their own families, and it’s hard to see them worrying about bills and their futures when they work so very hard. Even my father can’t seem to find comfort in retirement with the recent news that much of his benefits are being eliminated. So maybe that’s one of the reasons why I’m so driven. I sort of get a “last hope” type of feeling in that I believe it’s partially my duty to make sure everyone in my family is taken care of. I hope one day I’m successful enough that my family is able to stop worrying and start living life the way it was meant to be lived.

Secondly, I’d wish for our world without hate. Hate is one of the strongest emotions one can feel. If you’ve ever felt hate toward someone, you probably know the way it can take over your entire being, your sense of rationality. Is there such a thing as justifiable hate? Some might think so. But I believe most hate is based on ridiculous judgments about a person or group of people. Hate fuels violence which only causes pain, so without hate, our world would be much better off.  Gangs attack people with no questions asked because they’re not part of their group. Racists hate a person based on the color of their skin, without ever giving them a chance. Without hate, maybe people could have an open mind and form their own opinions instead of allowing their emotions to fuel their actions. Some might argue this would throw off the balance of things, perhaps that hate is a necessary emotion. Maybe so, but that’s why I’d ask the genie for “our” world without hate, not just any world.

Alright, I have to ask for at least one superpower, so I’d go with the ability to fly. There are so many places in the world I want to see, and I imagine flying would make that pretty easy. From Rome to the North Pole, I’d use flying to experience the world’s most beautiful locations.

This is by no means a comprehensive list of what I’d want in life. In the spirit of Mr. Gracian’s words, I think it’s only fitting to