Suddenly, and Never Again
Good afternoon to all,
hope your weekend is going well.
Does money buy happiness? Is the answer to that age old question actually, "no, but you can at least pick your misery"? Can you actually pick your misery, or would it come in such a volume that it is truly overwhelming? Many might say, "such a thing wouldn't happen to me, I could handle it", but do any of us actually know if we could handle the very different world associated with sudden wealth? What would you do if you awoke one day to what could be the realization of all your material dreams, the possibilities of all your good intentions, and almost sudden fame? I'd bet we've all thought about it at least once. Such a question appears to become a bit more difficult to answer when some thought is put into it, factoring in the truths and realities of the world in which we live. Such a thing happened to a family from West Virginia, when a grandfather won the largest Powerball Lottery single payout, he alone had the winning numbers, the payout was $315 Million ($113 Million paid out in one lump sum after taxes). The happiness and "admiration" of others from winning, in just a few short years would be replaced with utter sorrow, in a story of initial good intention soured by greed, wealth, power, sex, drink and drugs. Someone once said "money has the ability to change people, not often for the better", and it seems they knew what they were talking about. Click this link to read the story that got me thinking about the influence of wealth, both upon self and others, and had me shaking my head in disbelief about how total the devastation was upon all who were somehow touched by the money. If this were the storyline for a movie, most might shrug it off as a story being overdone, how could so much bad come from an event that was greeted with such happiness? Simply unbelieveable until you consider that it all really happened, with the saddest part of all being that the story isn't over just yet, could the story become more tragic? I sure hope not.
Let me know what you think about this one,
I'm sure interested in hearing your thoughts.
posted by NYC @ 12/04/2005 10:05:00 AM
2 comments
2 Comments:
I think that people are who they are, and money can act as a magnifier.
If a person is a good person and gives a few dollars when they can to the homeless or drops it into the salvation army tin, and then they become rich, they will probably be a philanthropist and help others with much larger amounts of money (or, not having to work, possibly with their time).
If they believe in a cause, with money they will contribute to it, and push it harder.
If they like to gamble, they will start betting the hundred dollar slots instead of the nickel slots and still lose their money just as fast.
If they are full of desires, lusts, drug addictions etc. but can't afford to feed all of them, they may on the surface appear not to have them, but given money, they go off the deep end.
Professional athletes and successful entertainers are a case in point. Nearly all of them grew up as 'ordinary people' and didn't have wealth. Now they have it. And you see both ends of the spectrum-- people who donate their time and talents to help their communities or for a cause, as well as the hedonistic ones who throw their careers away chasing drugs or women or some other vice that they can now afford, but never afford enough.
Well said as always, Eli.
I couldn't agree more.
Thanks for visiting, and for the comment! It sure keeps things fun around here knowing that someone is actually reading this stuff.
Have a good night,
and a Happy Holiday Season.
All the best,
GC
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