Energy attracts reality

When a person yearns for a thing--a situation in life, an opportunity, some kind of material abundance--this act of yearning sets up powerful forces.  These forces survive physical death just as the personality survives physical death.  By wishing intensely for a thing, the universe, like a scale, sets in motion forces to fulfill that wish.  Wishes do come true.  By wishing to be born to a higher social class, Jonathan created the circumstance wherein, in another life, he was indeed born to a family of high social standing.

Perhaps this sounds lovely.  Of course, it is.  But it is also the construction for oneself of further earth lessons.  For those of you who feel weary of the suffering of physical life, we will give a little hint: be content with what you have, who you are, your station in life.  By longing to be something more, or have something more, you create for yourself a reciprocal response by the universe to fulfill those dreams.  You will live another life to receive that gift. ...

When a soul regrets such wishes on this side, it doesn't count.  But when a person, while in life, comes to discard her or his dreams and desires, then that cancels the forces that were set in motion by the original yearning.  If one can learn in life the futility of wanting prestige, wealth, and status, then no future lessons are necessary.  This is the highest accomplishment--to learn truths while still on your physical plane, the stage of misconception and illusion. 

J. Laddon (1998/2002).  Another Look at the Life Beyond. Kindle edition.

Emphases are mine. 

Every wish comes true in one way or another, so we should be really careful about what to wish for.  

We can and will learn what we should learn, anyway; what matters is "when."