the smedley log - suburban scrawl

If I had a million dollars…

I was recently thinking about a concept I’d call a “lottery list.” In short, it’s a theoretical list of people or causes you’d help in some dramatic way if you were to win the lottery (or come into some other significant windfall).

On my lottery list, I’d place several people, some of them family members. Among them would be my parents, because I figure after everything they’ve done and the family they’ve raised, they deserve to live as comfortably and worry-free as possible. So, of course, if I were to hit the Powerball next week, one of the first things I’d like to do is ensure that they never again have to worry about money. A vaguely similar sense of purpose would be aimed at the other folks on my list. And then there’d be several charitable organizations I’d like to help (or found), too.

So I’m wondering if other people have a lottery list, too. Or maybe yours is a “rich uncle I’ve never met dies and leaves me a fortune” list. Whatever source suits your fancy. I figure if this idea’s been coursing through my mind, it’s been through the minds of many others before me. Does anyone reading this have such a list?

A related question is, absent a large windfall, are there other things you could be (or maybe, are) doing to help those who’d be on your list?

I’ve had conversations with people who talk fondly of what they would be doing for others if they only had more money or time – too often these conversations are nothing more than altruistic fantasy. But I’ve also seen real everyday people in action, not wealthy people, not people with limitless spare time, but regular people who amaze me with what they’ve done for others.

The lottery list is all well and good, especially if someday you hit it big, but I wonder how many of us focus on what we could do if we had more means, rather than concentrating on ways in which we can make a real difference right now.

If you want, you can leave a comment with suggestions. Could be a charity, a random way to help others or even a criticism of my conclusion.

That’s a very interesting way of phrasing it: A Lottery List.

I think about some aspects of it, but perhaps not deeply enough. But now I’m going to. Helping people…you bet. I’d hope I wouldn’t be one of those people who win…only to lose. Thinking it out ahead of time helps.

And you make the best point of all…maybe there are things to do to help right now. I like that.

Thanks for the thought-provoking post.

“[P]eople who talk fondly of what they would be doing for others if they only had more money or time” should get familiar with the words of Jesus…

His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ (Matthew 25:23)

Frank – I’m glad the post provoked some thought for you. I was thinking of an old Scott Adams post when I started writing it. If you haven’t read a lot of stuff at the Dilbert Blog, I highly recommend “The Meaning of Meaning” – it’s most likely the spur to this line of thought in my mind. In short, he suggests that we don’t look outward until we see ourselves as having what we think we need.

While I think that’s how many of us tend to think, I don’t know if some people don’t wait for a little too much personal perfection before reaching out to help others.

Steve – I was trying to avoid slipping into an entirely didactic tone, but the parable you mention hits the nail on the head as far as what I’m trying to suggest.

Though it’s something I’ve always struggled with, I deeply believe in the idea of stewardship as opposed to ownership (in fact, I may have actually written about it at some point I can no longer recall).