This Just In – winning the lottery can change your life!
Ok, not always for the better. There are plenty of stories of lottery winners whose lives were turned into tragic, cautionary tales by the sudden appearance of $100 million or more. Relatives who appear out of nowhere, the community that thinks its entitled to a cut and the horror of providing an unlimited budget to someone in the family with an addiction problem – not helpful.
So when I read the story recently about a guy in North Carolina who had hit some winning numbers for the third time in just a couple of years’ time, I started thinking… does he have a system?
Some people like to play their date of birth or anniversary and they play those numbers every time. It occurs to me, though, that watching the numbers announced each night, I’ve never seen my birthday (I’d notice that) or that of any of my family members.
The fact is that random, computer-generated numbers have exactly the same chance of winning as any chosen set of “lucky” numbers, so when you buy your tickets, let the computer pick for you. That said, I’m going to share with you the sure-fire way that you can win the lottery of life (which matters more than money) on a regular basis:
- If you’re the marrying kind, marry the right person. My husband is an awfully good guy. He’s not perfect (though his hot & sour soup is) but my investment in him has paid off 1,000-fold. I met his parents on our second date and I liked how respectful he was to them. Mostly, I just liked him and meeting him when I did was just plain lucky.
- Nurture your family. No matter how this unit of personal support is constructed for you, be sure you look out for the people closest to you. Cook for them. Compliment them. Tell them in front of other people that you’re proud of them. Lift them up and it will lift you up. Every day.
- When you are struggling, ask for help. Everyone hits a hard patch here and there. Review #1 and #2 … they want to help. This seems even harder as we age for some reason, but accepting support can be as glorious as giving it.
- Take care of your own health and well being just as you would for your spouse, your parents or your children. This one is especially for women … who often postpone their own mammograms and more because of the demands of care-giving for kids or elders or both. Guys – you too!
- Choose work that you love. Yes, being paid well is important, but how you feel about the work you do – being proud of it and engaged in it is fuel for your soul. If you need to change careers, make the plans. Figure out how to do it. Even if it will take longer than you’d like. You’re worth the investment.
- Make art. Can’t draw? Don’t know how to paint? Take a class! Practice! Start like every other artist – by being terrible. Unlike golf, even when terrible, painting is relaxing. It helps to rewire your brain to think differently and more flexibly. Also, when your stuff starts getting good, you can display it!
- LAUGH. There is something funny in every single day that we are here, upright and walking around. Find it. Notice it. Share it. Repeat!
Jean Bolduc is a freelance writer and the host of the Weekend Watercooler on 97.9 The Hill. She is the author of “African Americans of Durham & Orange Counties: An Oral History” (History Press, 2016) and has served on Orange County’s Human Relations Commission, The Alliance of AIDS Services-Carolina, the Orange County Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, and the Orange County Schools’ Equity Task Force. She was a featured columnist and reporter for the Chapel Hill Herald and the News & Observer.
Readers can reach Jean via email – jean@penandinc.com and via Twitter @JeanBolduc
Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our biweekly newsletter.
Comments on Chapelboro are moderated according to our Community Guidelines