What women (and men) want

As the year ends, there are many lists circulating, including this one: the New York Times Magazine articles that have been e-mailed most.

The list of five begins:

1. The Futile Pursuit of Happiness by Jon Gertner. "Researchers in the burgeoning field of 'affective forecasting' are finding that when it comes to personal satisfaction in your life, you can't really know what you want."


2. The Opt-Out Revolution by Lisa Belkin. "Many high-powered women today don't ever hit the glass ceiling, choosing to leave the workplace for motherhood. Is this the failure of one movement or the beginning of another?"


3. Is Buddhism Good for your Health? by Stephen S. Hall. "Researchers are making the case that Eastern-style meditation is good not just for your emotional well-being but also for your physical state."

I'm struck by the fact that all three of the top choices are about health and happiness (the last two are about taxes and terrorism). It reminds me of the wish I always make on the first star I see each night:

Star light, star bright, the first star I see tonight, I wish I may, I wish I might, have this wish I wish tonight. I wish for health, happiness and peace for my family and all the families of the world.

May 2004 be the year my wish and all our wishes come true.