Lottery, Schmottery

As many of you have read, seen, or heard, 8 Con-Agra workers cashed in on the biggest lottery pay out to date - $365 Million. Wouldn't you like to have that kind of money?

Think about it.

(Now, a personal disclaimer, I have, and will continue to play the lottery. When it gets big I usually buy $5 worth of tickets and talk about the "what-if's".)

The facts are not totally clear, but there has been some mention that many lottery winners end up broke and bankrupt. Here is a Google discussion that lists some facts, studies, and other links to various studies.

The gist of the issue is that if you are happy, you will be happy after winning the lottery. If you are miserable, you will be miserable after winning the lottery. Facts show that most lottery winners spend one third of their winnings in the first year - traveling, paying off bills, buying things, giving money away, etc. Then they tend to settle into a lifestyle that was similar to before they won the lottery.

The sad truth is that many winners have no idea what a windfall is and how much hassle the winning brings - "business offers", old friends, beggars, cons, temptations, stress, pressure, greed.

I hope that every one of these winners are happy, satisfied, and secure - and that they stay that way.

For me the personal issue is to be content NO MATTER WHAT and then life and the things that come at us will find a grounded and mature person - settled and stable.

WH