Don't Miss Your Sunrise

"Opportunities are like sunrises....If you wait too long, you miss them" ~Unknown

Have I ever told you my Lotto story? I don't tell it often because I don't really condone gambling. But I will still tell you about it. I was working for a grocery store back in the 90's. I was a photo lab tech when there was such a thing as photo labs. I guess you still see them around now and then. Most of them were put out of business because of the digital camera.

Every once in a while I would take part in the lotto pool conducted by a number of our stockers and baggers at the store. We would all put in two dollars and a bunch of lotto tickets would be bought for the group with the understanding that if we ever did win, the winnings would be split up evenly between all who were in the pool.

This one week the boys asked me if I wanted to be in that weeks pool. I made it a rule that if i didn't have the extra cash in my pocket, I would not play. So I told them I didn't have a spare dollar that week to play, but thank you for asking.

Needless to say when I came to work that weekend, I found out that the group of 8 people won $7 million dollars. That meant (after all the taxes and lawyer fees were taken out) they each got $20,000 each year for the next 20 years. Every time I think about that day I kick myself. It was a missed opportunity.

Now here is my disclaimer. I have not played the lotto but maybe twice in the past 5 years. I ran a work lotto pool for a while before that, but we never did win. I don't think anyone should play the lotto if they expect to win a lot of money. The odds are against you and it is a bad investment. But I do think if you just want to have some fun with friends, playing the lotto can be a fun game to play. Just don't spend money that should be spent on food, rent and other bills. If it's not extra money, then don't spend it.

If you do see an opportunity, a way to move up in your career that helps everyone around you, a car you have always wanted for a cheap price, a girl you've had a crush on who has just smiled at you. Take that leap and find a way to gamble on that opportunity. If something comes of it, then you will be happy. If it doesn't, then you will learn something from it.