In keeping with the spirit and intention of beginning the new year, I would like to share a beautiful tradition rooted in hope, connection to belief, and the receiving of blessings. Known as The Wishing Tree, this practice appears in cultures around the world. At its heart is the simple act of offering a written wish with the hope that it may be granted, manifested or blessed.

In Japanese culture, the tradition of ema invites individuals to write their wishes on small wooden plaques and place them at shrines or temples, with the belief that this offering may be blessed and bring the seeker’s wish to fruition (Reader, 1991; National Museum of Japanese History). Similarly, in parts of Ireland, people have long embraced variations of the Wishing or Fairy Tree, tying ribbons, cloth, or written notes to branches as a symbolic gesture of planting hope and allowing it to grow into being (Danaher, 1964; National Folklore Collection, UCD).

What unites these traditions is not the promise of certainty, but the act of intention. When we take a moment to write a wish or place it somewhere meaningful, we are doing something quietly powerful. We are clarifying what we hope for and allowing ourselves to hold it with care. Whether understood as spiritual, symbolic, or reflective, these rituals offer a pause and a way to begin the year by listening inward.

Without diminishing the beauty of these traditions, neuroscience offers a complementary perspective on why such practices can feel meaningful and effective. Research suggests that where we focus our attention, our brains tend to follow. When we name an intention and write it down, we engage neural networks involved in attention, planning, and motivation (Gollwitzer, 1999). The act of putting thoughts into words has also been shown to support emotional regulation and cognitive clarity, helping individuals integrate internal experience more effectively (Lieberman et al., 2007). This does not require belief in prayer, magic, or manifestation, only an appreciation that focused intention can shape perception, behavior, and choice over time.

As we move further into the year, traditions like the Wishing Tree remind us that hope does not require certainty. It asks only for attention. Whether understood through spiritual belief, cultural symbolism, or neuroscience, the act of naming an intention matters. When we pause to write what we long for and place it somewhere meaningful, we are practicing alignment between thought, feeling, and action.

In a world that often urges speed, certainty, and outcome, the Wishing Tree offers something quieter. It invites us to slow down, to notice what matters, and to hold our hopes without forcing them into form. Whether your wish takes root visibly or simply reshapes how you move through the days ahead, the act itself has meaning. To name what you long for is to acknowledge your inner life. This, in itself, is a meaningful beginning.

As always, thank you for reading. I look forward to connecting through your writing and mine.

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Photo: Pixabay

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Resources and References:

Danaher, K. (1964). The year in Ireland. Mercier Press.

Gollwitzer, P. M. (1999). Implementation intentions: Strong effects of simple plans. American Psychologist, 54(7), 493–503. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.54.7.493

Lieberman, M. D., Eisenberger, N. I., Crockett, M. J., Tom, S. M., Pfeifer, J. H., & Way, B. M. (2007). Putting feelings into words: Affect labeling disrupts amygdala activity in response to affective stimuli. Psychological Science, 18(5), 421–428. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9280.2007.01916.x

Reader, I. (1991). Religion in contemporary Japan. University of Hawai‘i Press.

National Museum of Japanese History. (n.d.). Ema (votive tablets). National Museum of Japanese History. https://d-museum.kokugakuin.ac.jp/eos/detail/?id=9608 (illustrative example of votive tablets) 國學院大學デジタルミュージアム

National Folklore Collection, University College Dublin. (n.d.). National Folklore Collection. University College Dublin. https://www.ucd.ie/irishfolklore/en/ University College Dublin

National Hotlines: 

The National Domestic Violence Helpline: (1-800-799-SAFE 7233)

The National Domestic Violence Chatline. http://www.TheHotLine.org

Treatment Referral Helpline: (1-877-726-4727)

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (1-800-273-8255)

The Hotline. (n.d.). Abuse defined. National Domestic Violence Hotline. https://www.thehotline.org/identify-abuse/

Counseling Resources:

ALMA: https://helloalma.com/

Better Help: https://www.betterhelp.com/

Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us

Talk Space: https://www.talkspace

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