few moments later, Alexa invited us to write down our greatest wish on a piece of paper and then roll it up into a little cylinder. Then, she showed us how to glue and snip those cylinders of paper into a collection of beads—beads that could be worn as a bracelet. “Now you can wear your wish right on your wrist,” she explained.
That day in Hawaii, Alexa invited me to see my wish clearly, write it down, and wear it. But of course, as we all know, it’s not enough to just write something down and look at it and think about it. We need to act on it, too. That’s exactly what Alexa illustrates so beautifully inside this book—how to take concrete, actionable steps every day, propelling yourself closer and closer to your ultimate wish.
Alexa is truly a masterful Wisher. She has wished for so many things—like a chance to meet with Oprah’s magazine team, a fluffy white rescue dog and a red Shasta RV trailer. Whatever she wishes for, she always finds a way to make it come true—getting exactly what she envisioned, or something very close! She has survived many hardships—dealing with rejection (so many auditions!) and frustrations as an actress, and dealing with frightening health challenges in her family—and yet her outlook on life is relentlessly optimistic.
I can’t imagine a better person to write a book like this one—a book about how to make your own wishes come true. No fairy godmother or magic genie required. Just your own mind, heart, capable hands, and a willingness to put in some effort.
Whatever you’re wishing for, I’m excited for your journey with Alexa to begin…
Alexandra Franzen
April 16, 2018—Portland, Oregon
Let’s Get Started
Hello, Wisher!
Hello, brave and beautiful Wisher! This is Alexa. No, I’m not the Echo Dot robot from Amazon.com. I’m an actual human being. I live in Santa Monica, California, with my husband, two kids, and a fluffy rescue dog that I wished for (…and then he showed up in my life because wishes really do come true!) but that’s a story for another time.
For most of my life, I’ve worked as an actress. You may have seen me in TV shows like NCIS, Bones, Lie To Me and dozens of commercials. For many years, I’ve also worked as a communication and public speaking trainer, which means I coach people who are getting ready for important moments like job interviews, presentations, media appearances, or even first dates! I love helping people feel more confident and shine brightly as they move through the world.
But then, a few years ago, I launched myself into a completely new line of work: creating a jewelry company called Wishbeads.
I had zero experience crafting or making jewelry (seriously, none). And I had zero experience in product manufacturing, shipping, distribution, and all the logistical left-brain stuff that’s required to run this type of business. But I felt strongly compelled to make Wishbeads happen, so I started researching, taking baby steps, and figuring out how to do it. It was an exciting and challenging process filled with so many “Ack, but I don’t know what to dooooo!” moments. But I kept going. And I’m still going. Wishbeads is growing with each passing year. (I’ll share a little more about my “building a business” story in a few pages.)
Why am I telling you all of this? Firstly, because I’ll be your guide throughout this book so I figure I ought to introduce myself. Secondly, because I want you to know that I understand how it feels to have a big, daunting wish. A wish that feels exciting and, frankly, overwhelming. I know how it feels to stare at your computer and wonder, How the heck am I going to pull this off? and Can I really achieve this, or am I delusional? and Will this crazy idea even work? I know those feelings because I’ve felt—and still feel—those doubts all the time.
It’s normal to feel doubts as you move through your life—everyone does, hey, we’re only human!—however, you don’t have to let those doubts stop you from pursuing your dreams.
I sincerely hope you won’t let that happen.
I hope this book gives you that little extra nudge of support, positivity, optimism, and encouragement that you need to make your greatest wishes come true.
Please don’t give up.
I believe in me…and I believe in you.
Wishes really can, and do, come true.
What Is a Wish?
The dictionary defines the word “wish” as “a desire or hope for something to happen.” Similar words include: “longing, yearning, inclination, urge, craving, hunger.”
Sometimes, in our society, wishing gets a bad reputation. It’s considered frivolous or foolish. When you accuse someone of “wishful thinking,” it’s not much of a compliment! You’re basically saying, “Get real. You’re being delusional.”
But I don’t think wishing is delusional. I believe that wishing is very powerful. When you make a wish, you’re connecting with what you really want. You’re saying, “This matters to me.” You’re saying, “I’m ready to focus, put in some work, and transform my life so that I can have what I want.”
Wishing is not merely the stuff of child’s play—like tossing pennies into fountains or puffing out birthday candles after a celebratory song. Wishing is all about moving closer to the life you truly desire—your best possible life. That’s not foolish. That’s fantastic!
A New Way to Wish
Perhaps you’ve made a lot of wishes in the past, but they haven’t always come true. Perhaps, after experiencing a string of disappointments, you’ve decided, “Wishing is pointless. It never works.”
Rather than deciding, “Oh, wishing is dumb and it never leads anywhere,” let’s try a new perspective. It’s time to start wishing in a new way. It’s time for a different (and more effective) approach!
Successful wishing starts with how you feel—your mood, your emotions, your attitude about the world. Some people refer to these feelings as your “vibration” or your “energy.” Let me break it down for you…
Your energy determines how your day is going to unfold.
If you’re feeling anxious, the world seems like one giant hazard zone.
If you’re feeling grateful, you see abundance at every turn.
If you’re feeling angry, every human being appears to be against you.
If you’re feeling loving, others tend to love you right back.
Whatever you’re focusing on, that’s what you’re bringing into your awareness and into your experience. Your energy is creating your life. And your energy is shaping the world.
“Give me a break, Alexa. Am I creating global warming? The swings of the stock market? Social inequality? Am I creating all that?!” you might wonder.
Maybe not completely. But on some level, yes, you are. Every human being is, in some way or another, creating and shaping the world that we live in.
No, I don’t think you’re responsible for the ice caps melting per se, but you are responsible for how you feel and what you choose to do with your feelings. Your feelings are going to determine
