Ever since the lottery started encroaching on $300 million last week, I
was steadfast in refusing to buy in. My reasoning was two-fold:
- I didn’t believe I had any chance of winning
- I didn’t want to win that much money
But as winners were yet to be drawn, the total grew and the excitement
everywhere was undeniable. And so, I caved and decided to join history. Yesterday,
I joined many of my co-workers in pulling together fives and tens to improve
our chances of winning. As we walked to purchase our 325 tickets on behalf of
the entire office, we joked how empty the entire office would be come Monday
when we had all become overnight millionaires. (But, surprisingly, we did not win.)
Of course winning an unfathomable sum of money would be incredible. To
never have to worry about making rent, no tussling over a car insurance
payment, being able to take that dream trip and work only for your passions… But
I don’t really want my life to be that
easy.
 |
| With co-workers buying tickets on Friday |
There’s something romantic about the challenge and the feeling of wanting something so badly and working
toward it. If scheduling a trip to Europe becomes as simple as scheduling a date
with friends, what value does it hold? My six months in Spain will forever be
some of my most treasured memories because of the unique experiences I held
there.
Here is what I would do if I had won:
- Donate money toward public education
- Donate money to Opportunity International
- Toss a large chunk into a bank account to let it collect interest
- Take a year to travel through South America and write
- Master French
- Keep working
And now that the several winners
have been announced, let’s hope the split winnings not only improve their lives
but also that of many others.
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