Do you keep your wishes secret? - by Jean Hsu

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Have you ever hoped that someone would notice your good work and give you more opportunities? Would that have been even more meaningful than if you asked for what you wanted, and got it?

“Make a wish and blow out the candles — but don’t tell anyone what it is, otherwise it won’t come true!” This common ritual and its cousins — wishing on a coin in a fountain, or blowing on a fallen eyelash — are very confusing to me. The idea of keeping your wish, something you really truly want, a secret is odd. I understand that it may be vulnerable to share your deepest desires, so people may resist it. Or perhaps knowing that you won’t have to share it with anyone lets you dig deep and wish for the big scary things that you’re too afraid to say out loud. But that we tell children over…

Do you keep your wishes secret? - by Jean Hsu

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