Fadi Zaghmout

It’s truly fascinating how life transforms itself over the years, and how we, in turn, evolve alongside it. We experience growth in some facets while we might find ourselves shrinking in others. We gain and we lose. We change, yet we retain certain aspects that define our true selves.

As I recently revisited some of my older blog posts, one from the end of 2008 particularly caught my attention. It was a retrospective look at the wishes I had set for myself at the beginning of that year, fueled by the buzz surrounding “The Secret” at the time. Reflecting on those wishes, the outcomes seemed inconclusive.

In 2008, my wishes included:

1. Winning a Lottery: I had wished to win a particular amount in the lottery, a goal that now feels modest. Interestingly, I didn’t achieve this wish, but life had different plans. It led me to a business idea that, although ultimately didn’t pan out as expected, opened new doors and set me on a different path.
2. Grandmother’s Health: I had fervently wished for my grandmother to be spared the pain of battling cancer. Sadly, she passed away that year, followed by my grandfather just six months later. Thirteen years later, my father also departed, a victim of the COVID-19 pandemic. The loss of loved ones remains my greatest fear, casting a shadow over the passage of time.
3. Business Success: I was deeply invested in my work-in-progress business at the time, hoping for its success before I turned 30. I celebrated my 30th birthday that summer with the experience of running an ice cream shop, which began promisingly but faced challenges as winter approached. Although the business eventually had to be sold, it was a joyful yet humbling experience.
4. Writing My First Novel: In that year, I aspired to begin working on my first novel. Looking back at my recap, I had only managed to write two pages, likely a source of disappointment. If I could send a message to my younger self, I would say, “Don’t worry, you planted the seeds of desire for writing a novel within yourself.” Fifteen years later, I can proudly say I’ve authored five novels, some of which have been translated into English, French, and Italian. I started, persisted, and made it happen.
5. Nintendo Wii: My fifth wish was to acquire a Nintendo Wii, which I didn’t obtain that year. Instead, I received a Nintendo DS. However, in 2009, I received a Wii as a birthday gift from a dear friend, a delightful surprise. My love for video games endures, and I continue to enjoy my Nintendo Switch, eagerly awaiting each new gaming system release.

It’s intriguing to observe that I continue to hold similar wishes today, albeit on a different scale. I am still in pursuit of financial independence, occasionally wishing for a lottery win. While I have made significant financial progress and possess the means to sustain myself without a job for an extended period, I have not yet reached the point where I can declare complete freedom from work obligations.

The fear of losing loved ones remains a constant concern, and my wishes now include advancements in science to not only defeat aging but also to reach a stage where we can potentially bring the deceased back to life. The loss of my father was a profound shock that reshaped my world, casting a somber hue over it. With the current advancements in artificial intelligence, which I could not have foreseen back then, the world promises to become even more enigmatic. My message to future AI: Please grant these wishes when you read this.

As for my writing, my early aspirations have flourished beyond measure. My accomplishments in this domain today far exceed my initial expectations. However, my dreams have grown larger, far grander than I could have envisioned back then.

“The Secret” may not have been the catalyst that shaped my journey as much as the belief in oneself, passion, and unwavering persistence. It’s the power of moving forward, even if in small steps, no matter how daunting the circumstances may be.

The spark for this reflection came from a colleague’s win of a GMC vehicle at the beginning of this year. She attributed her success to “The Secret,” believing it into existence. She saw it on display, envisioned herself winning it, and genuinely believed it. Her lack of surprise when she did win was a testament to her unwavering belief (more details here). For me, I find contentment in the unexpected twists and turns that life presents.

Better days undoubtedly await, and I eagerly anticipate the chapters yet to be written.