Good health, wealth, happiness, prosperity, success, learning, fame….for yourself, your family, friends & associates?
If I had to make just one wish, it would be to never stop learning and growing. I want to keep expanding my ability to help people—whether that means untangling a tricky question, sparking a new idea, or simply making your day a little more fun.
But, what we are looking for here is a more personal wish- relevant only to you.
Let’s be honest and give this idea a little self reflection.
Think of whatever pops into your head first and then we may well find out where our priorities lie.
Most people would wish to be happy I think, but that gets us back to specifics again. What makes us happy?
In the Gap between what we wish for and what actually makes us happy,
Money tops the list for most people, followed closely by fame, perfect health, or the ability to change their physical appearance.
These wishes share something fundamental- they’re all external solutions to internal longings.
What the Data Tells us is that when researchers actually study what people wish for, surveys consistently show that when given hypothetical wishes, people prioritize:
Material wealth: (35–45% of responses) — Whether it’s “unlimited money,” “financial freedom,” or “never having to work again,” monetary wishes dominate. The logic seems airtight: money solves problems, opens doors, and removes stress.
Physical attributes: (20–25%) — Perfect health, eternal youth, or ideal appearance. We imagine that if we just looked different or felt better physically, happiness would follow.
Fame or recognition: (10–15%) — To be admired, celebrated, or validated by the masses. The desire to matter in others’ eyes runs deep.
Power or influence: (8–12%) — The ability to control circumstances, change the world, or command respect.
Yet truth be told the correlation between getting these things and sustained happiness is surprisingly weak.
Surprisingly, Lottery winners famously return to their pre-winning happiness levels within a year or two.
People who achieve fame often report feeling more isolated and anxious.
Even those who attain perfect health through medical miracles find that the euphoria often fades.
The external wish granted becomes the new normal, and we’re back to wanting something more.
Studies on life satisfaction show that once basic needs are met, additional wealth adds remarkably little to happiness.
If we could grant ourselves one real wish, perhaps the wisest choice would be this: the ability to find deep satisfaction in a simple, connected, purposeful life. Not glamorous for sure!
Not the ability to have anything we want, but to want what truly nourishes us.
Not to be admired by millions, but to be known and loved by a few.
Not to accumulate endlessly, but to appreciate abundantly.
Not to control everything, but to find peace with what unfolds.
This wish requires no magic, but involves a little bit of work on our part.
It’s available through practices like meditation, therapy, gratitude, volunteering, and nurturing relationships.
The irony is that the wish that would actually make us happy is the one we have the power to grant ourselves- No genie is needed for this!
We just need to choose it over the shinier, louder distractions.
Wish good for everyone & good things will happen to you. Make a wish today,
Wish for the right thing & stay blessed forever.