The Sky is the Limit
The grand prize for the lottery soared to obscene heights and people again began to dream.
Of what it would be like to have money, lots of money, the future changed in a whim, through balls swimming in the air.
What would one do with it?
What one can do with it.
Of how it would change everything. Their lives, their past, their present.
And so they purchase their tickets day after day after day, as if through it they are manifesting their faith in the great unknown.
A chance of 1 in 20,872,566,000 – a chance that they are too willing to take. If statistics are to be believed, being struck by lighting (1 in 280,000) would appear to be easier.
Yet they take it. After all, you will not win if you will not roll the dice (or buy the ticket).
If you win, what would you do?
A friend said it is too much money, that it will be too scary to live after winning that much.
Another friend sat silent, lost in his thoughts, on his desk wads of lottery tickets, a testament to his having tried to tempt the fates (several times).
Another exclaimed, how great it would be to win, but would not buy a ticket.
What would you do?
A favorite friend said she does not want it, she wants nothing much these days because she has had enough, having been inundated with gifts of designer bags and shoes and things – everything that a woman would want. That it no longer brings her happiness.
Could it be true?
But there is research that says winning the lottery can make one happy. An article in fact said it removes the stresses of everyday life and improves mental health. But that oddly, it takes 1-2 years for winners to enjoy their winnings because for the first years, they have to deal with the guilt of suddenly finding themselves in the lap of luxury they felt they did not earn – the self-imposed stigma of unearned wealth.
What is true?
There is the Canadian couple who won a 9-million dollar lottery. Save for two percent they said they are keeping for a rainy day, they gave everything away. They are 75 years old.
Why? How?
Maybe, with material things, there is a bottom. That man, insatiable as he is, can be sated.
Or should be.
And that money really cannot buy happiness. So much can only buy so much envy, and then there is nothing.
But that is the lure of the lottery.
Those who have won, the couple, even my favorite friend, those who found that it was good but that it was not it, and do not pine for it (and even gave it away), maybe they know something.
When we win (all of us have an equal chance to be the 1 in 20,872,566,000 after all), maybe we should take heed.
Article by Issa. Art by D. Copyright 2010.
Website: www.YouWantToBeRich.com
Email: issa@youwanttoberich.com
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Lottery is like an idiot man’s tax. Don’t get me wrong, it would be fun to win a huge amount but with your chances that’s pretty slim, why would you wager? Why not invest your time and resources into something more worthwhile, productive and sure ROI (return of investment).
Great article! Found you through Anton Diaz’s list of 8 Filipina Awesome Blogs 🙂
@Johna @ Happiness I had the exact same thought as I was going through the gates of PCSO (I was there on some business), that people really believe they can win the odds and that their idiocy is increasing the pot and making the institution very rich. But then I thought, it is the PCSO and some of the money really goes to charity – and the current jackpot breached the 500 million mark. That really is great incentive for a lot of people to participate in the general thought of “what if…” But you are right. For the 10 million or so who join, for the poor who staked their all in a ticket, their riches will not be here. But then again, what if…? 🙂
Congratulations, too, for being in Anton Diaz list. It is well-deserved. 🙂
Winning the lottery is probably one thing that I think everyone has wished for at least once in their lives. The couple in your post would be the exception (i think) rather than the rule as they probably decided that since they’ve already “lived”. But if a 20-something were to win that kind of prize money, I don’t think he’ll/she’ll donate 98% to charity 🙂
Personally, I’d probably keep $2M for myself (for investments/travel etc) and donate the rest to charity
Anyway, I came across your blog from OOP too.
@The Food Lab – AuthorJ Thanks! I will probably donate a lot of it too – does giving to parents count as a donation? They are the first in my mind when I think about winning the lottery (I just want to kiss their money worries away). But yes, I will spend a lot on travel too, and for my children, and husband’s business ideas – he has a lot (he’s a genius, sometimes I let him know I know). That way, the money can grow and we will end up helping more people. Which is kind of boring, but not really, especially when a lot of people these days need help. Thanks again for dropping by 🙂