Yesterday I did not get something I wanted. My initial gut-level reaction was to launch into a full-fledged pity party, complete with pouting and sulking. WHY CAN’T I WIN THE LOTTERY??? SOMEONE has to win it, why is that someone ALWAYS someone else and never me??? (And no, it has nothing to do with the fact that I rarely buy tickets, because rarely is not never, it is just not often). Recently I bought a lottery ticket and I was very disappointed that I did not win. In fact, I may have even been a tad depressed that I did not win….. I really, really, REALLY WANTED to win (note, a want is very different from a NEED).
I am the type of person who loves to watch reality shows where good things happen to ordinary people….. shows were extraordinary things happen to ordinary people… and I cry – yes, I am a MAJOR SAP. Sometimes when my girls and partner are around I force myself to cough, pretend I am sneezing, anything to not have to be embarrassed by the tears running down my face as I witness people on hokey reality shows live out their dreams.
I really want to win the lottery, and I want to win it the way I want to win it… if you get what I mean…. maybe you don’t… I want to win a metaphorical (or, perhaps literal) lottery – be it in my career or in fame or fortune. It would be amazing and it sometimes happens to ordinary people.
While I want to win the lottery, yesterday after my pity party, I felt terribly convicted. I realized just how incredibly pathetic I was being. Who am I to complain? So I am not rich and I do not always get invited to participate in professional growth opportunities I would like to…. so what…. really, SO WHAT???
It occurred to me, that I actually HAVE WON THE LOTTERY in my life, and the issue was not winning the lottery, but taking a step back and really, truly understanding just how I had won.
This is how I won:
- There are almost half a million babies born in this world every day. Some are born in the most terrible conditions and immediately face poverty. I was born in middle class America – I won the lottery.
- When I was younger I was rear-ended by a one ton truck at 55mph. I had neck and back injuries and a mild traumatic head injury, but I essentially walked away from the accident – I won the lottery.
- As a young child I never wanted to have children of my own, as the multitude of orphans in this world pulled on my heart. I adopted two beautiful girls – I won the lottery.
- In a world full of selfish people always racing from one moment to the next, so focused on trying to get ahead that they miss out on life, I was able to pause and in that pause I found my partner – I won the lottery.
- I see many children on the streets, begging for food, desperate to go to school. I was given an education and had an opportunity to expand on that foundation – I won the lottery.
- Every day people go to bed hungry, we have more food to eat than we could need – I won the lottery.
- Many people are unemployed, I get to work in an environment with professional teachers, motivated students, and caring parents – I won the lottery.
Today, 8 days ’til 40, I will focus on all the wonderful gifts that are present in my life. While there are times I sulk because I do not get exactly what I want, I realize that I have been given so much in my life and I must understand what that means – and express gratitude.
~400daystil40
Fortuitous Forty!!! 
Scribelife
February 13, 2013 at 01:00
I needed this – I’m feeling pretty whiny today! Thanks!
400daystil40
February 13, 2013 at 23:01
You are welcome!
theimaginator
February 13, 2013 at 01:02
I too have a lot of things to be thankful for in life, especially when I think of all the things that happened and of so many who are less fortunate than me; nevertheless, I would still be very happy if I won the lottery!
400daystil40
February 13, 2013 at 23:00
Me too!
antarabesque
February 13, 2013 at 01:24
I won the lottery too.
400daystil40
February 13, 2013 at 23:00
🙂
viveka
February 13, 2013 at 01:30
I ask myself the same questions every Saturday. If I won I will donate to my two charities – Amnesty and Facing the World. Then I would book a trip … and visit all my blogging friends … be gone for months. It there is any money left over after that I will buy me that … sea view apartment in Biarritz, France or lake view apartment in Chicago.
400daystil40
February 13, 2013 at 22:56
I love those plans! I think the best part of buying a lottery ticket is the dreams it lets you dream until the numbers are pulled and you throw the ticket in the trash.
viveka
February 13, 2013 at 23:25
If we don’t play .. we can’t win. One day I’m sure. ‘smile
knitxpressions
February 13, 2013 at 01:40
=) you’re doing good there! What most of us needed is to do what you’ve just done – have a change in mindset! Instead of sulking like a little child (yea ok I admit sometimes it feels good to do that), we should try and change a perspective and appreciate the many many things we already have. Monetary wealth is not a judgement of success, and it may not necessarily bring you tons of happiness either! So, well done with this post!!
400daystil40
February 13, 2013 at 22:55
Thank you so much! 🙂
TreeHugginVamp
February 13, 2013 at 02:07
Good for you! You kind of pulled me out of my own little pity party. Tomorrow i am going to start a journal of good things that happen to me. Being a depressive since childhood I tend to lean towards only seeing the bad and taking the good for granted. Thanks 🙂
400daystil40
February 13, 2013 at 22:55
Wow, what a great idea (the journal) – I may have to do that too! 🙂
katengland
February 13, 2013 at 03:00
Thanks for the inspirational words. I read your post and I won the lottery!
400daystil40
February 13, 2013 at 22:55
Thank you! 🙂
sakuraandmesakuraandme
February 13, 2013 at 03:07
OMG!! 8 days….Hugs Paula x
400daystil40
February 13, 2013 at 22:54
I know, I am starting to get sad. I have some fun ideas for my next blogging project, but I will miss this one!
behindthemaskofabuse
February 13, 2013 at 04:37
we truly are more blessed than we realize!
400daystil40
February 13, 2013 at 22:54
Yes!
Another Thousand Words
February 13, 2013 at 04:53
We must be thankful for every experience, every day of our lives, 400…it makes us stronger, whether loss or gain is involved. 8 more days…any ‘gray hairs’ yet? (Hahaha!).
400daystil40
February 13, 2013 at 22:58
Yes, the gray hairs are coming in fast and furious! (Okay, maybe not that fast, but some are definitely there!!!)
Another Thousand Words
February 14, 2013 at 03:04
Mine began in 8th grade, so you should feel lucky! 😉 !!!
A
February 13, 2013 at 06:27
It’s so important to remember how blessed we all are in our own ways. Just the fact that we have computers with internet access already renders us “winners” of the lottery, so to speak. Those of us who can walk, see, speak without handicap, have won the lottery. There are always so many things to be thankful for. It’s interesting because my husband says to me frequently that he’s “won the lottery” and “hit the jackpot” when he found me. He never plays the monetary lottery, because he believes he’s already used up all his luck by meeting me and having me as his wife. I feel exactly the same way about him, so we are incredibly fortunate to have each other. Life’s lottery is much more significant (in many ways) than the monetary lottery. Thank you for helping us remember that 🙂
400daystil40
February 13, 2013 at 22:58
Yes, you bring up very good points! 🙂
biscottithedog
February 13, 2013 at 06:44
Beautifully written. I see I’ve won the lottery in my life too – thank you for this realization
400daystil40
February 13, 2013 at 22:58
Thank you! 🙂
Spider42
February 13, 2013 at 12:45
All I can say is : Amen.
Simply because I agree with you on this, whole and soul. I’ve long felt that while I may not “win” at certain things or be a world-famous anything or… win the lottery!… or whatever, I don’t care. Because the details, the things that truly impact a life like a home, like friends, family, education, a job, conveniences and comforts not afforded to so many – these are things I was fortunate to have and so don’t want anything more.
I aim to fulfill my dreams like writing, but I don’t pray to do things or win things like a lottery or even try – someone else deserves/needs/wants it more. If luck favours me for something, I’ll take it gratefully and move along – like a set of ‘Firefly’ commemorative posters, possibly the only contest I’ve won of the very, very few I’ve ever entered, but it was something I cherished more than if I’d won a bundle of money that would have definitely gotten spent all over the place! 😀
400daystil40
February 13, 2013 at 22:59
Thank you so much! I hope that you win the lottery with your writing one day! 🙂
Deborah
February 13, 2013 at 13:34
What a great post, and a great perspective. It’s good to be reminded about what we DO have. 🙂
400daystil40
February 13, 2013 at 22:59
Thank you! 🙂
Heather
February 13, 2013 at 16:51
yes…I’d say you won the lottery, congratulations!!!
400daystil40
February 13, 2013 at 22:59
Thanks! 🙂
H.Chamberlain
February 14, 2013 at 02:47
I fully agree! In my view each and every day that I can sit up by myself, take a shower without assistance, dress myself, feed myself, and even get to go to work 🙂 is a super lottery winning day! I’m a winner in at least the health-lottery! Just think about it – even Steve Jobs, with all his billions of $s, could not buy back his health when he lost it, and could not buy even one more second of life.
400daystil40
February 14, 2013 at 18:06
Yes!
thelastsongiheard
February 14, 2013 at 05:31
Love it 🙂 We’re so quick to see the bad things that we don’t see how lucky we are that things didn’t turn out worse!
400daystil40
February 14, 2013 at 18:05
Yes!
hookandply
February 14, 2013 at 12:27
This post made me think today about yesterday. I had a ‘how hard it is for me day’, a ‘whinging about my lot’ day. The preoccupation with what and how we would like things to be instead of appreciating what we have. This morning I woke up appreciating what I have and how my life is one that many others in the world would envy…….. I am living in the moment this morning and it is starting with a cup of tea!
400daystil40
February 14, 2013 at 18:04
I can so relate! I needed that cup of tea this morning!
The Quiet Borderline (back in hospital)
February 14, 2013 at 16:46
You’ve got the right attitude there. I’ll try and take a leaf out of your book.
400daystil40
February 14, 2013 at 18:04
🙂
Cheeky Monkey
September 9, 2013 at 09:30
Grapes are sour 🙂 (Chuckles)