I didn’t win the lottery!
Today the lottery is up to $375 million. Most of the time I don’t buy a ticket but almost every time I see the latest jackpot I think about what I would do with the money…travel, donate to charity, buy some shoes. But one thing I don’t think about is quitting work. Even if the money started flowing in and there was plenty of it.
I know I may be in the minority, but here’s why I’d keep working if I won. Work allows me to live out my life’s purpose which, for me, is basically to leave this world better than when I arrived. Work allows me to serve individuals around me as well as contribute to solutions for large, complex problems. Work also allows me to be part of a community of people who help each other, build relationships, and have fun.
Those are some of my larger reasons for working. What are yours? I believe all of us are capable of living out our life’s purpose through work, no matter what kind of work we do! All types of work are necessary to make an organization be successful and all who work are part of a community of other people. There are so many opportunities to share your gifts and talents!
Work also is a place where I am able to be better than when I first arrived. Recently, I went through a challenging period in my life (more on this in a future blog). While I relied on faith, family, and the usual healthy coping strategies, I was surprised to find great solace and strength in my work world. One explanation for this comes from a recent read: The Book of Joy, by the Dalai Lama, Bishop Desmond Tutu, and Douglas Abrams. What I learned from these wise teachers is that joy is not about escaping chaos, but rather learning to experience it during strife and chaos by providing service and being grateful. Certainly, work served as a distraction for me during this time. But more so, it helped me to learn how to experience joy in the chaos by serving others and looking for gratitude daily.
While most of us will never win big with lottery, it is my hope we can all see how we can “win big” at work. Work is where we spend the majority of our time, so what are we doing there? Passing time or passing along joy and encouragement, service and solutions? Collecting a pay check or gaining knowledge, personal growth, and meaningful relationships? Waiting for the weekend or looking forward to leaving the world better?
So now, I ask you, what would you do if you won the lottery?