Wishing for something is another way of saying “focusing mental and emotional energy on” it. If you’ve never seen the movie, Bedazzled, (either the Peter Cook-Dudley Moore 1967 version, or the Brendan Fraser- Elizabeth Hurley 2000 version) I recommend them both highly…not just because they are both equally brilliant and hilarious, but because the premise is a wonderful metaphor for how we desire.
Essentially, Stanley sells his soul to the Devil in exchange for seven wishes. All his wishes center around trying to get a certain woman to fall in love with him so they can live happily ever after. The Devil, however, (being a devil) takes him at his word and each time, gives him exactly what he asks for, which of course, never turns out to be what he wants. There is always some element which frustrates him and/or makes him miserable.
One of Stanley’s big mistakes, is that he focuses too much on either superficial things or on the structure of the relationship, leaving the Devil ample latitude to mess with feelings. For example, in one scenario, he is wealthy and powerful and married to the love of his life — just what he asked for — except she is in love with someone else.
Are you focusing too much on attaining goals which are only superficial to your ultimate happiness? If you got EXACTLY what you wanted, would that satisfy you? Make you happy? Are you certain? What about that situation or achievement would make you happy? Is there perhaps a surer path to that goal; one that may be more in your control? More within your ability to attain?
These are questions a good life coach can help you define and answer.
The Art of Epiphany 