1.2b lottery & other things

[december_solstice]

It's really off-putting to see how entranced people are over the 1.2b lottery. Understandable, when you consider it has never hit the billion, it's all over the news, ect. Mind you, it's a great thing (those taxes, almost 40% of the proceeds, are pumped back into schools, social services, your community, ect.) but listening to people fantasize about what they'd do with the money is really...interesting to observe. I dunno, it's just interesting but I can't exactly pin point why. I can't exactly put my finger on it. I mean I get it. In a sense that...you know, when you've grown up with little, and have lived under the poverty line all your life and to think that maybe one day it doesn't have to be that way anymore...you dream. I used to often, actually. When you live in NYC, part of it is "faking it till you make it". It's strolling down 5th ave. It's the feeling you get, I can't quite describe it. You're surrounded by wealth and luxury and it's hard to not imagine it for yourself.

But still, when I think about the possibility of winning the lottery. I'm a realist you know. I play for the sake of playing, not with the possibvility of winning because it's very unlikely. But you know, there is always a bigger picture I try to look at. Today, though, I thought -- what if? Like, really, WHAT IF. And, it dawned on me that I am really content in my life and I probably would not make very large lifestyle chances. I like what I do right now and it's more along the lines of continuing what I do. Preservation. I told Thomas, "I'd probably stay in school." And, he KNEW that was probably true because that is where I find happiness. Purpose. Growth. Understanding. I'd probably keep doing what I'm doing. And, him too. He would probably keep working. Because he values what he does. Isn't that remarkable? I'd be very giving, as I am now, but on larger scales. Would it be nice? Sure, of course. But, man, do I love my life as it is.

Comments

[ringlat.livejournal.com]

People are so obsessed with money... Swedes are a little better but that's been changing recently so I don't know what it'll be like here in 50 years.

I'd like to have enough money to where I wouldn't HAVE to work for some years ("for the rest of my life" would turn me into a lazy bastard). Then I could work for the future but feel absolutely safe in knowing I could take a grand vacation, or could have something happen to me, and it wouldn't be a problem. I could have a part-time job for the rest of my life instead of a crazy stress-inducing full-time one.

I really just want to move to Japan and become fluent in Japanese. I also want to live in the Faroe Islands and maybe in Iceland again at some point. I want to travel to different places and have enough money to buy stuff there - but I'm definitely not the kind of person who wants a mansion and expensive car. My dreams are things I want to experience or stuff I want to learn, instead of things I want to own. Other than that, I would finance different stuff, like I'd pay for this or that service that I think is lacking in the world (ex. software, website, book translation, research on how to make braille printers cheaper).

I don't know, I just don't feel like I have any goals that are impossible without tons of money - I could do them on a normal salary if I could just get hired. Speaking of I just found out yet another fast-food place doesn't want me, sigh.

[outerspace-bae.livejournal.com]

I'm with you 100m%. On everything you said. I'd also invest in...experiences, verses the materialistic. Setting realistic goals are important I think in gaining success. It keeps us grounded and serious about what we're doing.