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My wife and I were watching the nightly news (how old are we!), when the winner of the $552-million-dollar Illinois lottery was announced. As always, this news immediately generated a hypothetical “what we would do if we won the lottery” discussion. It’s a hypothetical discussion because neither one of us play the lottery. And, yes, we both know we can’t win if we don’t play. But, when the odds of winning the lottery are 1 in 300 million, it seems to us, you don’t win even if you do play. And no judgement about those who do play (well, maybe a little judgement).
In any event, our discussion about what we would do if we won, prompted me to realize that life offers many other lotteries, and potential jackpots, that are extraordinarily valuable. These lotteries and their jackpots are woven into our life, some from the day we are born, and shape our life’s journey.
Below are 10 examples of a life’s lottery jackpot. If any of these have provided you with a winning lottery ticket – a jackpot – give it a check and take a moment to recognize how lucky you have been:
- Our Parents: Our parents are our first mentors, influencing our values, character, and worldview. Whether through support, love, emotional security, their guidance shapes our life’s foundation and gives us a head start in life. _____
- A Supportive Family: A loving family creates a safety net, offering mental, emotional, and social support. When setbacks arise, knowing we have a support system fosters resilience and self-confidence. A family’s acceptance and encouragement provide the foundation for personal growth. _____
- Faith or Belief System: Faith offers hope and direction, helping us stay grounded through life’s ups and downs. It cultivates virtues like gratitude, forgiveness, and humility, which strengthen long-term relationships. Belonging to a faith community connects us with people who share our values and offer support. _____
- Friendships that Inspire Us: We become a lot like those we spend time with. Our friends influence our mindset, habits, and motivation. The right friendships – supportive and trustworthy – help shape our personal and professional success by introducing us to new ideas and new opportunities. _____
- Structural Privilege: Racial and social identity affect how society perceives us and the opportunities we receive. If er belong to a group that faces fewer systemic barriers, we’ve benefited from a structural advantage that gives us a head start in education, employment, and social networks. _____
- Good Health: Every healthy day is a significant jackpot. Health is one of life’s most overlooked gifts—until it’s gone. Being born without serious physical or mental health challenges enables us to pursue our goals and enjoy life without constant struggle. _____
- Where We Grew Up: Geography matters more than we realize. Our environment shapes our opportunities, social circles, and professional connections. Growing up in a safe neighborhood with access to quality education, healthcare, and community resources gives us a significant advantage. _____
- Educational Opportunities: Access to quality education—whether through good schools, inspiring teachers, or extracurricular activities—provides lifelong benefits. If we’ve had opportunities to attend college, trade school, or other training programs, we’re better equipped to build a meaningful career and professional network. _____
- A Loving Partner: A supportive partner doubles our lottery winnings. A healthy relationship offers emotional stability, enhances personal growth, and provides encouragement through life’s challenges. A partner who shares your goals and values makes life’s journey smoother and more fulfilling. _____
- Mentors Who Guide Us: A mentor offers wisdom, career advice, and emotional support, helping us avoid pitfalls and seize opportunities. They accelerate our personal development and help us find, and open, doors we could not have found or opened on our own. _____
If you’re like me, when you count up the checks, you’ll realize how fortunate you’ve been at winning life’s lottery jackpots.
However, it’s easy to take these jackpots for granted because we often are more focused on what we want instead of appreciating what we have.
To show appropriate appreciation for our life lottery jackpots we can cultivate gratitude for them by:
- Reflecting daily on what, and who, we have to be grateful for.
- Saying “Thank You” to those we are grateful are in our life.
- Serving others.
- Staying humble, realizing the role other people, and luck, have had in our success.
- And, most importantly, helping others, who are not as fortunate as we are, to win their life lottery jackpot.
I could be wrong, …but I’m not.
#Icould be wrong…; #LeadershipDevelopmentSME; #failureandrecoverySME
By commenting on this post, let me know if there are other Life Lottery Jackpots that should be added to this list?
By the Way: I’m currently booking speaking engagements for 2025! If you know of an organization looking for a dynamic speaker, who delivers an impactful message, I would appreciate you giving them my name and website –paulgloverspeaks.com. Thanks for your support.
