You Are Sitting On a Fortune, Too.

Merry Christmas!
If that offends you, consider the number of soldiers fighting in Iraq right now and that they are the reason we have a free country where you can believe what you want without fear of persecution.
I pray it always stays that way.

That freedom is part of my new philosophy.

I'll explain in a moment.

First, I had the chance to catch the clerk who sold Jay King the winning Megabucks ticket in a short interview for a news story. The clerk was excited that she had touched a ten million dollar winning ticket, but really bummed out that none of that money was coming to her.

It sounds like the Kings have big plans for that money, but some people are concerned they are going to blow the money and end up back like the rest of us: working to pay the bills.

Well, to that clerk, the Kings and the rest of you, remember this:
We are all sitting on a fortune.

Even if you are without a job, your spouse is overseas, you are fighting a deadly disease or are just feeling low - you have more than you know.

We all have challenges, but was also all have opportunity.
What is a fortune if not a resource that could be worth untold millions?
Your fortune is all around you - kids, family, friends and especially you.
If you are healthy and can work, and have goals for your life, go make them happen.
If you are sick or broke or beaten down by life - you still have the opportunity to inspire.
If you have children, invest in them. They are the most obvious example of a fortune worth protecting and developing.

The money the lottery doles out is only part of what makes people happy.
Often its the work that goes in to becoming successful that makes financial success so satisfying.

So instead of feeling sorry for yourself because someone else won the big prize, look around at the fortune you have already been given and consider that this Christmas.

Run the race to win the prize.

-- Brian