The Biggest Wish

I took part in a small survey the other day where participants were asked ‘what super power would you like to have?’ The choices included such ‘powers’ as Xray vision, super strength, the ability to fly and many more. When the results popped through it was very interesting to see that by far the most popular choice of ‘super powers’ was the ability to heal.

Phew! What a relief! A confirmation of what I have always thought – that people are basically good; that most people are not the selfish gits we are led to believe inhabit our space.

☺

Some years ago I asked my grade three students to think hard of something they really wanted - or would like. I cleaned off a large part of a chalk board and invited them to come forward and write their wishes for all to see. There was some excitement as they began quite quickly, many writing things such as ‘a new bike’, ‘a car of my own’, ‘lots of new clothes’, ‘a new bigger house’ and, of course, all the latest fad toys.

But gradually their ideas began to change and they wrote wishes for their families. They wished for a grandparent to be well. They wished for good things for a friend.

As the board was filling up with wishes, the children became more quiet and thoughtful. Then their words included such things as ‘no fighting’, ‘no wars’ and finally, the one they all agreed upon as the best was

‘peace in the world’.

These children were all aged around eight years of age.  

Does that surprise you?

Does that give you hope for the future?

I hope so.

ÿ

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