Wishing vs Asking vs Begging

So what was it about wishing that is different from asking or begging? Here's what I came up with via the MacMillan Dictionary:

1. Wishing means to want something to happen although it is unlikely.
   For example:(I wish I was rich!) or (Andy wished that he could think of a way of helping) or (I wish Beth would stop interfering.)
2. To wish is a way of saying you feel sorry or disappointed about something you did or did not do.
   For example: (I wish I’d never come!) or (Now he wished that he had listened more carefully.)
3. To wish is a formal way to express a desire.
   For example: (Please do not hesitate to contact me if you wish to discuss the matter.)
4. Saying, "if you wish"  implies that permission is given.
   For example: (You may have a look around, if you wish.)
5. Wish is also used for saying that you hope that someone enjoys something or that something good happens to them.
   For example: wish someone a Happy Birthday/Merry Christmas etc: - (May I wish you all a very Merry Christmas.) or wish someone luck/happiness/success: (I wish you every success.) or (The crowd wished them well as they left for their honeymoon.)
6. "As you wish" is used for telling someone that they can do or have whatever they want. It is a formal giving of permission. (Even if it is not what you want them to do.)
   For example: (You can sit as close to the stage as you wish.) or  (Of course. As you wish, sir.)
7. Can be used to tell someone what you want.
   For example: (I wish you’d stop going on about all your problems!)
8. "I wish" can be used for saying that something is not true, although you would be pleased if it were true.
   For example: ('Did she give you some money?’ ‘I wish!’)
9. "You wish"  can be used for telling someone that the thing that they want to happen is completely impossible.
   For example: (‘I told Ben that Sally was my girlfriend.’ ‘You wish!’)
10. To not wish something is to not want something to happen to someone because it is very bad.
    For example: (It’s such a disgusting task, I wouldn’t wish it on anybody.)

As you can see, wishing means wanting, it gives permissions, and yet, at the same time wishing implies impossibilities and improbabilities. That being said, we continue to do it... At least, I know I do. What about you? Do you have a wish list? Do you wish on stars? birthday candles? dandelion fluff? What do you think it is that makes a wish come true? Is it blind luck? a random blessing? What?

Now for a blast from the past, we have this post for those of you following our original Praying for Prosperity project: Words of Wisdom. How about it? Any words of wisdom you'd like to share? Please? Please?? I wish??

What Is a Wish?

Karla's comment about her nightly ritual of "wishing on a star" got me thinking about wishing, so I did some research and came up with this article from Suite 101.

What is a Wish?
Wishing Methods and Definition by Arden Wikberg

Making wishes links us to our spiritual selves. Wishes express our hopes, dreams and desires. They teach us about healing our lives and wishing can create happiness in the moment.

In the Walt Disney Movie ’Cinderella' is a song called, ‘A Wish is a Dream Your Heart Makes,’ and this perfectly describes the concept of a wish.

A wish is usually defined as a desire, to long for, to hanker after, to have a mind or disposition towards something. From blowing candles on a cake to wishing upon a star, virtually everyone has been compelled to make a wish at some point.

Finding Power in Wishes

Wishes express our heart’s desire. Whether they come true or not wishes are important, they help set ‘intention’ to create something new in one's life. In doing so, it's believed that one becomes open to receiving it.

Wishes are regarded as a wonderful way to shift the mind into the realm of the positive and the ‘now’ moment. As adults, it is easy to dismiss the power of this process as something that's only suitable for children. Yet many find power in wishes, hence the warning phrase, “Be careful what you wish for.”

The History of Wishes and Wishing Methods

Since ancient times, man’s spirituality has been linked with the process of making wishes. A way of believing our needs and desires could be met, and something outside of ourselves existing to help create it. Wishing recalls the innocence and magical energy of childhood.

Wishing isn’t about making a plan and formulating a goal which is the world of adulthood. Wishing is a playful journey into the unknown, an invitation to play with forces outside of our everyday lives.

Here are some common wishes you may recall from childhood:

• Blowing dandelion seeds in the air – By taking a dandelion that has gone to seed, making a wish and blowing all the down off in one breath was said to make your wish come true.
• Throwing pennies into a fountain or well – Close your eyes make a wish and toss the coin into the water. This is a wishing method that is still practiced today.
• Blowing out the candles on a cake – This is the most common form of wishing still used today. By making a wish closing your eyes and blowing the candles on a cake out in one breath it is said your wish will be granted.
• Using wishbones – Wishbones are found in cooked fowl. Once they are dried two people each take an end, close their eyes, make a wish and pull it apart. The one with the biggest piece will have his wish come true. On the rare chance that both pieces are even, it's said that both wishes will come true.
• Wishing upon a star – When the first star of the evening appears in the sky, close your eyes and make a wish.
• Falling/shooting stars – To make a wish on a star, you must personally see the shooting star. Then, make a wish. Multiple people can wish on a falling star simultaneously.
• Lady bugs – Should a lady bug land on you say, “Lady bug, lady bug fly away home.” If it flees, make a wish.

Wishes help keep faith and hope alive. The next time you see a fountain or the first star of the evening, close your eyes and make a wish. Belief in change and the power of believing can be inspiring and motivational.

And for those of you following the original project on prayer we have: A Sense of Adventure