Be Careful What You Wish For
The old story of a genie in a bottle granting three wishes might seem like a dream come true, but it isn’t obvious to most what those wishes might be or if they would make their life or the world better. Wishing for something different than what you have is a risky venture. For many, there are heartaches and challenges that a wish, if granted, might resolve, but then they would be faced with a question of the greater good. They would have to decide whether the wish should have been used for the world at large rather than fixing their own lives. Fundamentally, the idea that a change will make your life better is also questionable. Each of us makes what we can with the life we are given, and of course, more money, the absence of disease, and the removal of heartache would make anyone’s life marginally better. However, dealing with those challenges is part of life and makes us who we are.
The big picture
If given three wishes, you might initially wish for something for yourself, such as being happier, bringing back a dead loved one, or resolving a significant money issue. However, in doing so, you are choosing between improving your own life and making the world a better place. You could argue that a rising tide lifts all boats (trickle-down theory notwithstanding), and build in a benefit to you as part of a wish that makes the world a better place. You might also keep one and give two to the world. Making one wish just for yourself, and using two for the general welfare. Reflecting on this decision, even as a fantasy, can tell you a lot about yourself, including how altruistic you are.
Playing God
Given the offer of wishes, you might be tempted to make a big picture wish that changes the whole world, or even the nature of reality. These might be beneficial on the surface, such as eradicating war, curing a disease, or abolishing starvation. They might be “Garden of Eden” sorts of wishes, such as the removal of desire, physical pain, and unpleasant emotions. They may be wishes related to a specific benefit or removal of an evil, such as no more hurricanes, getting rid of mosquitoes, or ensuring sufficient clean water for all. However, the metaphysical ramifications of fundamentally changing the world or the nature of reality are impossible to predict. For example, would a wish to realize people’s desires make them less ambitious and remove the fire in their bellies? Might a change in climate or the global ecosystem have unintended consequences? You never know. But is there a downside to curing cancer? Is there a downside to increasing kindness and compassion among people? I can’t imagine how, but the truth is, I don’t know.
Personal wishes
I don’t know about you, but my life experiences—all of them—made me who I am today. I might not be so quick to wish them away, even if it was clear that the wishes would make my life better. I’ve had love interests in the past that I thought at the time were my soul mate. But after painful breakups, I’m very happy where I am now. If I wished for more happiness, without working toward circumstances that make me happy, would that happiness be as meaningful to me? If I wished for more money, would that make my life more meaningful or happy? Who knows? It might make me less happy. The point is, you never know how a fundamental change in your life will affect your reality. Of course, some conditions seem obvious. If you have cancer, you’d want to rid yourself of it. If you’re starving, you’d like more food. If you’ve experienced the tragic death of a child, you’d want to undo that death.
My three wishes
Wishes are complicated. If I were granted three wishes, I think it would be selfish not to use them to make the world a better place, but what would that look like? I reflected on some “make the world a better place” wishes, and I’m still not sure. Would I make everyone happier? Create more compassion in the world? Remove evil? It would be impossible to anticipate what would happen with any of that. If I had one strictly personal wish, would I wish to be a better person? To be more attractive? Have life-long financial security? For me, it’s essential to have earned what I have. Without that, it’s not that meaningful. I’m not saying I would not take the wish, but I would have mixed feelings.
Again, wishes are complicated. What would your three wishes be?
