3 Wishes

Stardate 07.14.2026

Today I'd like to offer something that has helped me keep dreaming, even on the busiest days. It's a practice I return to every morning without fail. When life feels especially full or my thoughts begin to race, this quiet routine helps me find my footing again.

Before I go any further, I want to recognize the person who first pointed me in this direction.

His name is Taj.

We worked together until he moved out of state. Taj carried himself with a quiet peace that caught my attention. Even when everything around him seemed to unravel, he remained calm. He didn't preach. He didn't try to convince anyone. He simply lived differently.

His practice was meditation, rooted in what his teachers in India had shared with him.

When I first tried it, I stumbled more than I succeeded. Sitting still wasn't easy for me. My mind preferred making lists, solving problems, and planning tomorrow before today was finished. Little by little, though, I found my own rhythm. Today, I can honestly say it has become one of the most valuable parts of my morning.

There are many people far more qualified than I am to teach meditation. My goal isn't to explain it. I simply want to share one small part of what my own journey has become.

During the golden hour of my morning, I move through several quiet moments until I eventually arrive at a place I affectionately call Glendalough. It reminds me of the beautiful valley in Ireland that Helen and I visited during our pilgrimage. Whether my mind recreates it perfectly doesn't really matter. It has become my peaceful forest.

As I walk beneath the towering trees, I eventually come upon one unlike all the others. Resting high among its branches is a life-sized acorn.

Inside lives Jeanie.

She resembles the Jeannie from I Dream of Jeannie, complete with a warm smile that always makes me laugh. When I call her name, the giant acorn slowly descends through the trees and lands beside me with enough force to leave a small crater in the forest floor.

The door opens.

She steps out.

Then she asks the same simple question every morning.

"What are your three wishes?"

My answer never changes.

Health.

Longevity.

Financial peace.

Jeanie smiles, blinks, and quietly grants my wishes before returning to her magical acorn. I thank her and continue my meditation.

Some may see this as imagination. For me, it's become a daily reminder to focus on what matters most. Beginning each day with gratitude and hope helps shape the hours that follow. It gently points my attention toward the blessings already growing in my life.

Looking back, I realize Taj gave me far more than an introduction to meditation. He showed me what peaceful living could look like. His example spoke long after our conversations ended.

Taj, wherever life has taken you, thank you.

You inspired me through your actions more than your words.

May you live long and prosper.

These days, the fire trucks are parked. The emergencies that once occupied so much of my attention have grown quieter. Dreams that once seemed distant are beginning to take shape. Every morning reminds me that I already have much to be thankful for, and every new day feels like another gift waiting to be opened.

"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you." — Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)

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Captain's Addendum

Bones: "Captain, I've spent my career treating people. Turns out a peaceful mind can be pretty good medicine."

Spock: "An expected conclusion, Doctor. A disciplined mind increases the probability of a well-lived life."

I smiled as we continued our journey. Every morning offers another opportunity to choose where our thoughts will dwell. Mine begin with three wishes, a grateful heart, and quiet confidence that God is already at work.

Thank you for spending part of your day with me. I hope you find a moment of peace today, and may each small, faithful step lead you closer to the life God is preparing for you.