Make a wish

We search for a shooting star, then close our eyes. We hunt for a dandelion, then blow on it. We seek a wishbone, then break it. We find a wishing well, then throw a coin. We stay up until 11:11, then start murmuring. We blow out birthday candles, then cross our fingers.

Most of us do these things just to make a wish.

I am certain that the majority of us call for something in life, big or small. The greater part of us wishes to become popular, like the artists Justin Bieber, Beyoncé, Sandra Bullock, Lee Min Ho and the like. Some of us desire to be known on the basis of our achievements despite the difficulties that early on marked our path, like Oprah Winfrey or US President Barack Obama. Some of us crave to excel in a particular field, like painting, sculpture, drawing, writing, cooking, and so on.

Most of us aspire for popularity and fame, but there are also a number of people who have simple or practical wishes. These people simply need good health, fine grades, peace of mind, and such.

Wishes are free, unlike in a sari-sari store where there’s a long list of debtors. Wishes have no limits, in contrast to the so-called unlimited text and call services of various networks that have expiration dates. Wishes are light, unlike sacks of rice or huge baggage. You can make a wish anytime, anywhere.

We don’t have to depend only on shooting stars, dandelions, wishbones, wishing wells and the like because they do not guarantee that our wishes will come true. We can’t just expect that our desires will be granted because we crossed our fingers. We have to work hard to make our aspirations possible. We have to bear in mind that things do not fall from the sky or grow in our backyard. It all depends on ourselves, the labor that we do with our hands, the effort that we exert.

We shouldn’t be in a hurry to get our wishes because Somebody out there is unquestionably watching us. Don’t demand; don’t argue with Him. When the best time comes, we’ll reap what we wished for, and better than we ever wanted.

Katrina Tabas, 18, is a communications sophomore at the University of the Cordilleras.