Blog 3255 – 09.30.2024
The Problem With Wishes
On this last day of September 2024 I would like to try to deal with a problem that I believe at one time or another affects us all. It is, I think, a difficultly focusing on one thing at a time. I believe that we have been sold a bill of goods on the supposed productivity booster called multitasking by those who would increase output no matter the cost to quality or employee health and well-being and still life and labor seem to work best when we focus on one thing at a time. And it is so much easier that way to do it right the first time.
In the story of Aladdin’s Magic Lamp, the finder of the lamp upon rubbing the lamp releases a powerful genie that grants each owner of the lamp three wishes. And no you cannot wish for more wishes. Most people are paralyzed trying to decide upon one thing to request and usually end up wasting all three of their wishes and not getting anything more in the bargain than a worrisome experience.
If you could have one wish, anything you want, what would it be? World peace? For your sports team to win the championship? Fortune? Fame? For your Presidential candidate to win by a landslide in November? See the problem? It is too many wants and not enough focus on one wish.
There is a Bible Promise that has long been a particular favorite of mine. It goes, “Ask whatsoever you will believing and you shall receive it.” Again we quickly see the rub – focusing on one thing to ask for and believing it is really ours just for the asking.
The country band Diamond Reo recorded a wonderful song that answers the question of priorities. Most of us who have lost a loved one or have truly found the love of our lives agree that One More Day is what we would wish for. Still as the chorus of the song concludes, “But then again, I know what it would do, leave me wishing still for one more day with you.”
Tomorrow is October and I am sure come the end of that month too we will be singing with Barry Manilow, “I hate to see October go.” Here’s hoping your wishes all come true and that you have One More Day to enjoy them all.
Your friend and fellow traveler,
David White
theencouragingword 