If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride.
If wishes were fishes, the sea would be full. That’s a lotta wishes.
The above quotes indicate that making wishes is useless. Of course, I disagree.
Peace y’all.
To me, wishes are your soul’s way of giving voice to what you really, really want. At the time you’re making them, at that point in your life.
Okay, I’m going to take my peace and love beads off, set my bongo drums down, straighten the flowers in my hair and get on with this post.
Still, for ambiance press here:
You may want to light some incense and/or a candle and sing this:
I lit these. They’re on my bookshelves.
It may get deep up in here.
I Wish I May I Wish I Might…
Remember when you’d make a wish as a child? You really thought it would come true because you still believed in magic and it just didn’t occur to you that you wouldn’t get what you wished for.
“There wouldn’t be a sky full of stars if we were all meant to wish on the same one.” — Frances Clark.
(Painting: Starry Night, Vincent Van Gogh).
I don’t remember what all my wishes were, but I do remember looking up at the stars and making some. Or if my sister and I or a friend and I said something at the same time, it’d be a “pinky” wish. We’d hook our pinky fingers together, close our eyes, make a wish, let go, kiss the tips of our fingers and touch them together.
Make a wish and blow.
An eyelash on someone’s face — you retrieve it and tell her/him, make a wish and blow. Or dandelions — blow all the fuzzy stuff off and your wish would come true. Candles on a birthday cake — blow them all out, but don’t tell anyone what your wish is or it won’t come true.
All those wishes just floating around out there with everyone else’s.
Wishes, Prayers, Dreams, Goals, Aspirations — It’s All the Same
When I was about nine or ten, I wanted a record player so much. I don’t remember if I prayed or wished or hoped or what, but I got it. As I grew through my awkwardness as a young girl/woman, I wished that I didn’t have to wear glasses or that I was taller or had dark hair and no freckles.
I managed the glasses part but no amount of wishing could change the other stuff. So I changed my wish and became okay with all that other stuff.
I read a lot of books in high school. They were usually about some faraway place, faraway to me — Nantucket, New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, tropical islands and I wished that I could travel. The thought of me ever getting to those places seemed impossible. But I kept wishing and setting my sights on them and I think it sets things in motion when you do that. The Universe finally says, Okay, here you go.
Those wishes came true, not in the order or the way I thought they would, but they did come true.
Me too George Bailey.
Careful What You Wish For….
Remember in the movie, It’s a Wonderful Life when George Bailey contemplates his life? He believes it’s just such a mess and he wishes he’d never been born. His guardian angel, Clarence grants him that wish and George finds how just how many of his real wishes, the important ones, had already come true.
Yeah, I’m sucker for stories like that. Maybe we’ve all had those George Bailey moments. I know I have.
Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he? — Clarence, from It’s a Wonderful Life. (We all need a Clarence to go over our wish lists with.)
I try to remember Clarence’s words to George (see to the left there) whenever I start feeling sorry for myself or I start wishing my life was this way instead of that way.
When I’m faced with tough challenges or decisions, I’ll wish for peace and clarity. It make take a while, but that’s a wish that always comes true.
Or, maybe wishing is useless. Or maybe:
Fate is kind
She brings to those to love
The sweet fulfillment of
Their secret longing
Yeah, I’m going to go with that. Happy Monday everyone and I hope all your wishes come true. And, enjoy some fine music this morning.
* * *
What wishes did you make as a child and how did you make them? Did they come true? Have you ever received what you wished for but it didn’t turn out the way you thought it would? Do you have a wish now? Leave it in the comment section — maybe it’ll float around in cyperspace and come back. It could happen.
Wishes link
Brigitte's Banter 
Wishing for simple things – that’s easy. It’s wishing for things that matter a lot to me- that’s harder. I tend to get my hopes up high…only to have some of them dashed. So I try to just wish for things that are inconsequential and not for things that make me anxious.
I also think about the ‘careful what you wish for’ (The Monkey’s Paw kind o’story) and that when you wish for X – it has to come from someplace and maybe you’re taking away from someone else to get what you want. You want a million dollars? From whom are you taking it?
I like this topic – I think about stuff like that often….
Posted by Rutabaga the Mercenary Researcher | April 22, 2013, 9:33 amI know what you mean, Ruta about wishing for things that make you anxious. That Monkey Paw kind of story is rather intense! I think about stuff like this all the time too and it’s nice to get different perspectives about it. Thank you, as always, for yours!
Posted by Brigitte | April 22, 2013, 9:48 amI don’t look at wishes as some kind of magical thinking mumbo-jumbo. To me, making a wish is making a conscious connection with…let’s call it Source…to bring forth a concept into this play we call life and enhance my human experience. Maybe that sounds like mumbo-jumbo? That’s okay, I can still go with that! 😉 xoxoM
Posted by Margarita | April 22, 2013, 9:33 amMe either! I hope this didn’t come across as magical mumbo-jumbo and I most definitely agree it’s connecting with a Source, Deity, God, Universe of course. I don’t think your perspective sounds mumbo jumbo at all. Thanks, M. xxoo 😉
Posted by Brigitte | April 22, 2013, 9:50 amYou did not across as magical mumbo-jumbo, dear Brigitte. I was just adding my musings to yours! xoxoM
Posted by Margarita | April 22, 2013, 11:33 amI think I daydreamed a lot as a kid and those were my wishes. I was thinking about this the other day and realized that I don’t daydream as much as I used to. Maybe too busy, maybe I thought it was a waste of time, but I think it’s important to allow myself to do that more often. It feels like a powerful way to create what I want in my life. Great post, as always, Brigitte!
Posted by Cathy Ulrich | April 22, 2013, 9:40 amThat’s good. Daydreaming is good. I still do it! I think we create things in our life with thoughts some times. I mean that’s how everything starts — from building the first airplane to a discovery of a needed medicine — it begins with thought and spirals, at least that’s how I “think” of it happening. Thank you, Cathy. 😉
Posted by Brigitte | April 22, 2013, 9:52 amWhen I was a kid growing up in San Francisco, I wished I could live in New York. The first film my parents took me to see was “West Side Story” so that pretty much sealed the deal with me. Fortunately, the second film they took me to was “Lawrence of Arabia”. Had I seen that first, I might have wished to live in the desert … nah. I do like your outlook: “wishes are your soul’s way of giving voice to what you really, really want.” I think that’s a spot-on observation, Brig.
Hey! “The Starry Night” is on my post today, too! It’s on display at MoMA. You might want to head over there if you’d like to glimpse it for real.
Posted by lameadventures | April 22, 2013, 9:56 amHey V, I think I would love San Francisco or Santa Barbara. Many people have said I’d love Santa Barbara but isn’t it wildly expensive? You and I are on some psychic mind meld because I was reading your hysterical post and I said the same thing. Great minds with good taste think alike, V. And thank you I’d like to think my soul knows what it wants, well most of the time anyway although it can be very indecisive at times.
Posted by Brigitte | April 22, 2013, 10:00 amYes, we are on a psychic mind meld today, Brig! I noticed that you were commenting on my site as I was over here earlier! I’m at The Grind so I have to be careful when I comment on my own site since The Boss subscribes. She’s not the Gestapo, but sometimes there are days when she’s in A Mood. I know that SF is not cheap, but I’m not sure if it would cost more or less to live in Santa Barbara, but I doubt that it’s discount living over there.
Posted by lameadventures | April 22, 2013, 1:23 pmWell I can wish about it anyway. ;). Who knows what could happen…
Posted by Brigitte | April 22, 2013, 1:26 pmAs an only child I was always daydreaming and in a world of my own. Making wishes was part of that. Eyelash wishing, pinky wishes, dandelions, birthday candles as well as one not mentioned…when the numbers align on a digital clock (ie; 3:33, 10:10, 11:11) I wished then as well.
I truly believe that what we put out there in the Universe does indeed come to fruition if we wish for it and BELIEVE that it will come to pass. At least that has been my experience.
I still make wishes but it is less about what I want and more about what I have ( for the continued health and well being of my family) but it is done without the accoutrements (ie: candles, dandelions, etc) and more or less in a prayer form of gratitude on a daily basis.
Brigitte, this was a fantastically inspiring post….I need to retrieve my inner child again and do some daydreaming!
Posted by brie | April 22, 2013, 11:15 amHey Brigitte! It doesn’t surprise me that you did that because you seem to be such a fun-loving, creative writer from what I’ve read from and about you. I’ve not heard of the numbers one–now I’ll do it. I know it seems crazy, but I still do all those wish things that I did as a child. And yes, I’m with you — my wishes are more of the gratitude kind and wishing others peace and/or clarity if one of my loved ones is face with a challenge or problem as well. I think we could all benefit from some daydreaming, Brig. Thank you for your wonderful comment and for reading.
Posted by Brigitte | April 22, 2013, 1:07 pmI’m with you–wishes are really dreams in disguise. Some are attainable; others probably aren’t (like winning Powerball…), but over time, we know in our heart the difference between the two, and without wishes or dreams to work toward, we might as well hang in the towel.
Posted by Carrie Rubin | April 22, 2013, 11:25 amHey Carrie, I think so and winning the Powerball would be a “wish” come true I guess but then that’d be a whole set of new problems but I think I could handle them quite well. ;). Thank you.
Posted by Brigitte | April 22, 2013, 1:07 pmWell, if you DO win the Powerball and you decide it poses too many problems, I’ll be happy to take some of that cash off your hands…
Posted by Carrie Rubin | April 22, 2013, 1:15 pmI’ll have my people call your people.
Posted by Brigitte | April 22, 2013, 1:16 pmDeal.
Posted by Carrie Rubin | April 22, 2013, 1:20 pmI have some pretty big important wishes that I am counting on coming true… My biggest wish is for good health for family and friends!
Posted by susielindau | April 22, 2013, 11:34 amHi Susie, well I wish that you get exactly what you’re wishing for! And yes, I wish the same for my family and friends and consider myself so lucky to have that wish/dream be true!! Thank you.
Posted by Brigitte | April 22, 2013, 1:08 pmI was often taken to a small wishing well when I was a child and I’d always wish for better health. Didn’t happen then, but it didn’t stop me wishing. 🙂 Nowadays I wish I could remember where the wishing well was!
Posted by Val | April 22, 2013, 12:10 pmHi Arty, well I hope you’re okay! Your blog is beautiful, btw and those little fishes swimming around on there — cute. Ha! I forget why I walk in a room sometimes. ;). Thank you and welcome.
Posted by Brigitte | April 22, 2013, 1:10 pmI had the same freckle wish – no dice, still spotty. I think as we grow up we figure out how to make the possible ones come true.
Posted by artsifrtsy | April 22, 2013, 2:20 pmFreckles are supposed to be cute, though, Artsy. And I agree with you. It just takes patience — not one of my best traits!
Posted by Brigitte | April 22, 2013, 5:38 pmI think that freckles are cute, but I’ve never known a little girl who thinks so 🙂
Posted by artsifrtsy | April 22, 2013, 10:05 pmI think they’re cute now. When I was little I didn’t. 😉
Posted by Brigitte | April 23, 2013, 9:42 amWhen I was a kid, I used to wish I was an adult. Now I wish I was a vampire so I would stop aging.
Nice post, Brigitte! Who sings the last song?
Posted by mabukach | April 22, 2013, 2:21 pmYou’re NOT a vampire, Mike? Kidding, though I do know how much you enjoy reading the Twilight Series. Thanks — I’m glad you enjoyed it. That song is Baby Blue by Badfinger. That version is from the soundtrack of the movie, The Departed — an excellent flick if you’ve not seen it, you should!
Posted by Brigitte | April 22, 2013, 5:41 pmI do like the nightlife!
Twilight…
Ah, awesome song. I think I may have it on vinyl somewhere…hmm. Absolutely love ‘The Departed’!
Posted by mabukach | April 23, 2013, 1:17 pmI still make eyelash wishes. I still believe in wishes, and I think you’re right – it doesn’t matter what we call them. I know they come true every time I look at my husband. (Speaking of – Big D came back upstairs to hear today’s song. He loves Badfinger.) 🙂
I’ve always said, “Jinx, you owe me a Coke” when I say something at the same time as someone else. I like your idea better. I’ll take any excuse to make a wish. As always Brigitte, I’m so glad I stopped by today. Have a great week, and may all your wishes come true!
Posted by notedinnashville | April 22, 2013, 2:45 pmI still do all those wish things, Anita. I mean it can’t hurt, right? (I throw salt over my shoulder too). Nice you and your hubby appreciate good music. ;). I’m the same way — I feel the same when I look at my hubby — it’s so nice, isn’t it?
When we were little, we always did pinky wishes and you have to touch your fingers exactly in the spot that you kissed them. I’m so glad you stopped by as well, Anita and thank you so much. You have a great week too!
Posted by Brigitte | April 22, 2013, 5:44 pmOh, the memories you bring back to me with your music choices. 🙂 I think I spent much of my childhood, and even adulthood, wishing for things that never were—on stars, over birthday candles, and in my bed at night. I can’t say that many of them came true. But they probably had a big influence through the years on the decisions I made and the choices I selected.
Posted by jmmcdowell | April 22, 2013, 4:40 pmI just love that song, JM. I hope it’s good memories. I remember making a few myself that didn’t come true but I try to tell myself, it must be because it wouldn’t have worked out in a good way. And I agree with you, sometimes the things we don’t get teach us the best lessons of all.
Posted by Brigitte | April 22, 2013, 5:45 pmWhat a lovely way to start the week — you with wishes and me with fairies. I agree with you–I think wishes come true, and I have a few more up my sleeve. As usual–another thoughtful and thought-provoking post — I am going to have to step it up a bit and put more work into my posts — I always enjoy yours (this is not a fish expedition–what I say is true)
Posted by on thehomefrontandbeyond | April 22, 2013, 4:53 pmWell obviously, we have good taste, Lou. ;). I wish your wishes (the ones up your sleeve) come true for you. And thank you so much for your kind words — I know you mean it and that makes it even more wonderful.
Posted by Brigitte | April 22, 2013, 5:46 pmAh, the Monkey’s Paw!! My dad used to tell it so well at fireside with a flashlight under his chin. Goosebumps. Wishes. I still throw coins into fountains and blow out candles, while whispering: Remember this moment, remember this moment, remember this moment forever. I try to stay in the present. Perhaps I’m afraid of jinxing the moment?! Perhaps I’ve heard too many readings of the Monkey’s Paw? Knock. Knock. Knock! T. (Great post, Brigitte! I also love the images!)
Posted by Theadora Brack | April 22, 2013, 5:44 pmT, hey!! That does sound scary. I don’t know if I read that but I must now. Or maybe I shouldn’t! I do that too — throw coins in the fountain. When I went to Nantucket, legend has it that if you toss pennies as you leave at the lighthouse, you’ll be back. I did and I did. :). So glad you enjoyed it and so nice to see you here again. Thank you.
Posted by Brigitte | April 22, 2013, 5:48 pmYou want to hear something spooky…? I was just listening to this Badfinger song in the car!! Isn’t that a freak out? You and I with our music… we’re so connected.
Okay, wishes… When I was young my wishes, believe it or not, were for world peace, world happiness, all the animals in the world to have safety and not come to harm, and for my family to be happy. I was so angelic. 😉
Interestingly as I grew older my wishes became more and more selfish – better body, better hair, clothes, money, a car, jobs, etc. hahaha! Now, I’m happy to report that they’re back to being more altruistic. Okay, so sometimes I still wish for better hair, body, clothes, money, etc. But it’s not often. My prayers and my wishes sometimes collide. I pray a lot for the safety of animals, their comfort, for the people who care for them to have compassion, etc. I think animal comfort, creatures big and small, have been a constant since I was a child.
This is a coolio post, Miss Brigitte! I’m loving it. But I’m not loving that you’re hiding your gorgeous face. 😦 It looks like you got a wish answered there! Too bad the rest of us can’t enjoy your natural beauty. (Why are we always hiding? Let your beauty flag fly my friend!)
I hope you have a wonderful evening.
PS – It’s finally warm and sunny here! Yay!
Lisa xoxox
Posted by A Gripping Life | April 22, 2013, 6:37 pmLisa, that is spooky, but kind of cool and I agree we have stellar taste in music. I was a very good girl myself. Always getting good grades and doing whatever to make my parents proud. We sound very similar with our wishes and yes, I do get a little vain (like everyone else) about my wishes but I think that’s human. Health, love, safety and a wonderful world to leave the next generation are ones I wish for. And that my family, friends, and loved ones experience a wonderful life. And animals, well I have two dogs that are my children. I’m just crazy over them — Baxter and Sophie — they are so loved. I’m shy I guess. It was difficult for me to even post a picture on my about me page! But thank you, Lisa — what a nice thing to say. I’ve seen your gravatar so I think your wishes came true yourself, woman. So glad you enjoyed the post and I wish that the rest of your week is sunny — literally and metaphorically. Thank you, my sweet friend. xxoo
Posted by Brigitte | April 22, 2013, 8:06 pmI STILL wish on an eyelash – old habits die hard!
Posted by This Sydney Life | April 22, 2013, 6:48 pmI still do ALL those wish kind of things and you’re right! 😉
Posted by Brigitte | April 22, 2013, 8:07 pmI think it’s important to keep wishing for things, right? That means you hope and you aspire for more? I love this post, Brigitte. I used all your methods for wishing, except maybe the eyelashes…candles, dandelions, wishing wells, pinky, but mainly I just secretly longed for many things. I finally got to have one of my dreams, dancing in a professional company. And, it was nothing that I had expected! At all!! It actually completely fell short, but I was still glad I got to experience it.
Posted by The Bumble Files | April 22, 2013, 6:53 pmHi Amy, I do too. It’s keeps your dreams alive I think. I’m so glad you loved the post — thank you. Isn’t that strange when you wish/want something and you get it and it doesn’t turn out the way you thought it would? That is, at times the very best lessons. It gets us closer to our real heart’s desires I think. When you found out what you don’t want, you get closer to what you really do. Thanks, Amy.
Posted by Brigitte | April 22, 2013, 8:09 pmLove this, Brigitte! And not only do I still wish on eyelashes, but I force pretty much everyone I know who loses an eyelash in my presence to do it, as well! A wish to me is, at the least, a moment of positive thinking and at the most, a call-to-action to the Universe to make things happen! 🙂
I *wish* you a wonderful rest of the week!
Posted by Carly | April 22, 2013, 7:05 pmI know those childhood things don’t ever really go away, do they? You’re making your wishes come true, Carly and I so admire you for it. I just admire you period and that call-to-action to the Universe — yes, you know the one that looks like a bulldog Hawaiian wear. ;). I wish the same for you — a fantastic week.
Posted by Brigitte | April 22, 2013, 8:11 pmI wish that wishes come true. ❤
Posted by dianasschwenk | April 22, 2013, 7:31 pmNow that’s a good one, D. It’s like asking a genie for 1,000 more wishes or infinite wishes. 😉
Posted by Brigitte | April 22, 2013, 8:12 pmI still make wishes on my birthday (and my friends still demand me to tell what the first two were). When I was younger, I would often wish for someone else’s life, usually someone I admired from afar who seemed like they just lived so effortlessly. One day, a good friend of mine told me wistfully that I seemed to have such a good, charmed life. I nearly died. Who ME?? But I guess that just goes to show the universe knows what’s up, right? Nowadays, I mainly wish for less stress, more patience, and strength to get through things. Doesn’t always happen but if we got what we wished for so easily, life wouldn’t be much fun I think. Have a great week, Brigitte. 🙂
Posted by lillianccc | April 22, 2013, 10:01 pmMe too, Lillian. You know, a friend told me the same thing once, that I lived a charmed life and that I seemed to always get what I wanted. Like you, i thought you have no idea what you’re talking about! Yes, some of my wishes came true but it certainly wasn’t effortless — it took dedication and work. And I do the same thing, patience, peace, and clarity. If you have those things, you can just about get through anything. Thank you, Lillian and you have a great week too.
Posted by Brigitte | April 23, 2013, 9:41 amIt’s Earth Day… I’ll wish for a greener, healthier earth. 🙂
Posted by Curt Mekemson | April 22, 2013, 11:36 pmHi Curt, I think that’s a great wish. I wish that too. Thank you!
Posted by Brigitte | April 23, 2013, 9:43 amgreat post Brigitte!! As a child most of my wishes were for things that my friends had!! And many a times i wished I had the powers of a fairy godmother… 😉 . Now I mostly wish for a simple life without too many complications, which I think is impossible!! 🙂 My wish of being a fairy godmother seems more easy in comparison!! 🙂
Posted by hemadamani | April 23, 2013, 10:00 amHi Hema, why thank you and so nice to see you here. I know what you mean…I wished I was Jeannie from I Dream of Jeannie at times. ;). And yes, simple is good. The less drama, the better! Thank you.
Posted by Brigitte | April 23, 2013, 12:27 pmI loved Jeannie too!!! 🙂
Posted by hemadamani | April 24, 2013, 12:30 pmI have had some wishes come true–the bulk of them were great, but, sadly, a few were awful. I still have wishes, and I believe they’ll come to pass if I wish hard enough.
Posted by Addie | April 23, 2013, 4:47 pmHi Addie — how are you?? So good to see you here. Yeah, I know what you mean — some good, some bad but I guess that’s life, huh? I thinking wishing and dreaming and keeping your eye on your heart’s desires is a good thing. Thank you.
Posted by Brigitte | April 24, 2013, 10:21 amI wish for a new job:) I love wishing, hoping and dreaming and ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE when YOU BELIEVE & have a little FAITH!!! Have a Great One
Posted by cravesadventure | April 23, 2013, 8:08 pmCraves, I wish you get your wish! And I agree, anything is possible. You have a great one too and thank you.
Posted by Brigitte | April 24, 2013, 10:23 amI layed Mary Hatch last year for Christmas, and will be reprising the role this Christmas time. Sweet story.
Posted by reptilesintheicecream | April 24, 2013, 12:12 pmHow cool is that??!!! Adding to your many talents, you also act — !!?? Thank you, Rep. I love your humor and your goodness. So good to see you here.
Posted by Brigitte | April 24, 2013, 8:05 pmYes, I Played (not laid) Mary Hatch. WOW, what a fax paus!!
Posted by reptilesintheicecream | April 25, 2013, 9:38 pmfaus pax?
Posted by reptilesintheicecream | April 25, 2013, 9:39 pmI forget that some of my wishes have come true whenever I’m being cynical about life, usually when I’m feeling frustrated by immediate circumstances. I’ll allow that to overshadow the truth. I wished I could have the type of job that I have. I had hoped to be published in the journal that published my story. And I wished for the boyfriend that I had in high school. But those grandiose wishes haven’t happened which causes me to dismiss some of the others. It’s all an ego trip I know. Nevertheless, an immediate wish for me now is to be published in the Paris Review — haha! So what I do is try to appreciate every little thing I can. It makes life easier.
Posted by Sandee | May 14, 2013, 10:37 pmHey Sandee, sorry about my late response and trust me, I know what you mean. It’s easy to get cynical about life, finding the positive takes effort sometimes but it’s worth it I think. I wish that you get published in the Paris Review. With your talent, that isn’t a unrealistic wish. ;).
Posted by Brigitte | May 17, 2013, 12:50 pmThanks Brigitte! Your post reminded me of what keeps me going. Wishes, hopes, dreams, etc.
Posted by Sandee | May 18, 2013, 10:42 pm