During my trip to Brazil in 2009 I was given a Bahia Band. What are Bahia Bands? They are also known as Brazilian Wish Bracelets, they are a 200 year-old tradition from Brazil. These ribbons of Bonfim are said to bring good luck to those who adhere to the tradition.
This is how they Work: Wrap the Bahia Band around your wrist and tie three knots, making a wish with each knot. When the Bahia Band naturally breaks down and falls off, it is believed that your three wishes will come true.
During conversation with an old friend this Wish Bracelet had become a topic. When remembering that old ratty white bracelet that I had committed to wearing, even through my wedding day, we laughed at how silly it looked and how I had tried to hide it under other jewelry. She then asked me if my 3 wishes had come true. I hung my head and replied “Just look at me!! Does it look like any of my wishes have come true?” We laughed out loud for a minute and then started cracking jokes at each other like friends will do, but didn’t talk about it again.
Later that weekend I realized that I must have forgotten what my 3 wishes were, because looking back now, YES all 3 of them had come true!!
I did not wish for an extended life, nor to live in any particular place with any specific person. I wished for Life! When I open my eyes and look at the life I have, I have every reason to feel blessed. I am living and breathing every day and am very much alive. Anyone that knows me would say that without a doubt I am living my life to the fullest and enjoying every minute of it.
The love that I had wished for was not specific! There was no condition of love that I was wishing for nor was there any specific person that I had wished to be loved by. I wished for Love! When I look at all the love I have in my heart I realize how fortunate I am. I have so many amazing people in my life that I love and that love me!
Your happiness does not have to be compromised by the bad things that have happened to you. Bad things will always happen to each and every one of us, but that will never mean you have to be unhappy. I have to always remember that without the bad things there would be no good, and without the good I would not have the life I do today! The life I live today makes me happy. I wished for Happiness!
I guess that I just needed to be reminded of what I had wished for to realize that my 3 wishes had come true! Thank you to my dearest friend that was able to remind me of what I have. Without you I would have continued to forget how amazing my life is, and that my dreams have come true!
When you take the time to see the joy in your life, you can realize that your dreams have come true!
"Learn to appreciate what you have, before time makes you appreciate what you had."~Unknown
