I was at a pub having a beer and some lunch and as often is the case writing in my trusty note book. I had just finished writing an affirmation “I Create Wealth” when the waitress came over and appologised handing me a card and saying that with every lunch order you get a card entitling you to a flutter on their pokie machines for free. I hate pokies and with that first thought in mind I handed the card back politely saying no thanks.
I bit into my bread and cheese and had a swig of my Becks Draught and thought what am I doing giving back an opportunity to create wealth?? At the very least someone just offered me a couple of dollars for nothing – okay I had to use it in their pokie machines but I could have won a couple of thousand dollars from that.
I resisted the urge to go back to the waitress and ask for the free card back.
Two days later Andrea and I and the Kids were walking around our holiday destination when I was apporached by a girl giving out free scratchy cards. They were for a holiday company doing some advertising ect so Andrea scratched the card and guess what we were winners!! We had scratched the three of a kind and we were garuanteed to win one of three prizes – a $500 flat screen tv, or 7 nights accomadation at a five star holiday resort or $1000 cash BUT there was a catch. In order to collect the prize we had to go to the holday company’s office with the whole family and sit through a 60 – 90 presentation on how we could save money on our next holiday, with the next available time being 4pm (it was at that time 2.30)
I also noted that the prizes came with conditions attatched, dont know what they would be but I wasnt prepared to waste half a day of our holiday finding out so I threw the scratchy card in the bin and had a lovely day with my family.
Wealth comes in all shapes and sizes and how you create wealth is certainly serendipitous.
It’s nice to win free stuff or at least to have the illusion of winning something for free, but it so rarely is, always strings attached, but there are things we win freely, like friendships and there is so much wealth in that, perhaps not financially, but otherwise. I mostly toss the other stuff immediately or hit the delete button, like on the email I keep getting that I supposedly hold the winning ticket of a lottery entry and need to claim it asap. Hmmm, I’ve never played the lottery, so how can that be, especially since it’s coming from a country I’ve never been to–highly suspect!
Hello PC Friends,
Paul-Because you care about your fellows and have good intentions-you are rewarded.
I work in the Johns Hopkins University Bayview Development office. We are fundraisers and have many donors who so willingly send us their financial donations. We are always greatful for their gifts no matter how big or small. Bayview is community hospital and any amount given is used constructively.
I must share that my husband has the golden touch and lots of luck. He’s always hitting the numbers lottery-big and small.
PAUL-If you’re looking to give back to your community-it may make you feel like you’re giving back by sending a gift in kind(clothing items) or a financial donation to your local hospital.
HUGS!
Abeth
Betcha every one of those scratch tickets was a winner. It’s a common scam. And the presentation is a *very* hard sell. You were right not to waste your time on it!
Bill just hates contests and the like, knowing that people are being drawn in by their desire to get something for nothing. And often, that something is junk we don’t really need.
And…I’m not sure where I was going with that rant.
True Story.
Feb. (Valentine’s weekend) 2003 I’m walking out to the parking lot from work. It snowed that day or the day before so there was snow all over the parking lot.
I walk a lot of the time with my eyes to the ground (when no one is around) thinking usually about stuff.
Anyway, I walk pass a bank envelope. Stepped right over it. It looked like trash. It was white, it was dirty, it was closed and not wrinkled. It was white.
Hmmmm..
Get in my car. Thinking….. Decide, “Well, I’ll just drive over to it and pick it up and look inside it. What can be the harm in that right?”
I drive over to it, I drive a little farther away with the envelope in my hand and stop for a moment, because there felt like something in it.
I open the envelope and shocked beyond belief that there was over $800 in cash.
I look all over the envelope. There is NO NAME OR ANY MARKING AT ALL ON THE ENVELOPE. NOTHING!
The only thing on this envelope was the bank it came from. But nothing else at all. No receipt, nothing to tie the money back to the one who lost it.
For 4 weeks after I found it, I would go down to the main lobby where there is a bulletin board and look for any sign about the money. I figured this is what I would have done if I lost that much money. Hoping and praying on the kindness of people ….
But nothing showed up ever. Nothing was reported.
It was my blessing. I was able to take my son to a nice dinner for Valentine’s day and pay some much needed bills.
Always scratch, always pull the lever when you get a chance, always look in bank envelopes!!!!
How will you ever get blessed if you don’t try, believe, show faith eh?
Lots of love,
Tea
Something more recently as wonderful happened.
I was looking through the ads in the paper for new jobs because I had determined that the job I possess (my last day at it is here today, shoot my last 20 minutes actually). Anyway, I find an add that was so perfect a wee little voice inside me says, “You’d be a fool to pass this up”.
It’s the first resume I sent out.
I got the job.
I have also increased my salary substainally.
Again, believe and try and mind those whispers….
Hmmmmmmm. Well. Okay, here
Paul, I read Cat’s post about you being so honest to give $100 back to that director. I think that is so wonderful of you. What a great guy and person you are.