Setting One's Intentions with the Universe…to Win the Powerball

Set your intentions with the universe and the universe will provide.  Or, set your intentions in the form of prayer and God will provide.  There are many variations of this sentiment and each faith has its own name for it.  There are prayers for healing, for peace, for wisdom, for the faithful departed, for better times.  There is spiritual channeling in the form of Reiki healing.  There are numerous documented cases where setting intentions or petitioning for healing has led to spontaneous recovery from terminal illness.  So as I walk to the supermarket counter to buy a Powerball ticket, I ask a simple question: can I set my intention with the universe so that my six numbers will perfectly align with the six numbered balls that bounce out of the machine tonight?

I’m sure if you talk to anyone knowledgeable about prayer that they would suggest that God considers that a frivolous prayer.  Well, is it really that frivolous?  When the Mega Millions drawing hit over $400 million a couple of weeks ago and I bought two tickets, it came to mind that $400 million is much more than I would ever need in order to live comfortably.  Let’s say that when that check hits the bank, I take $20,000,000 and invest it carefully, allowing my family and me to live comfortably for the rest of our lives and allow my daughter to go to the university of her choice.  That leaves $380,000,000, which is serious money.  That would do a considerable amount of good in the world.  I would donate it to charities that improve the education and well-being of our children, especially those who through financial hardship do not have access to a good education, or for that matter, to food and shelter.  The money could also be used to promote sustainability of our resources and to support technologies that allow industry to manufacture their products without damaging the planet.  It would help rebuild areas that have been ravaged by a natural disaster.  It would help find cures for cancer and other terrible diseases.  There are so many good causes in which to invest the money.  It would be a rewarding vocation.

Then the rational scientist in me takes over.  The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are one in 175 million.  I’m more likely to be struck by lightning; the odds for that are about one in a million.  And the average payback on two dollar invested in Powerball is $1.00, or 50%.  I’m better off putting the two dollars in a piggy bank.  By doing that, I will have twice as much money on average as I would if I buy lottery tickets.  And it gets worse – if I win the big jackpot, I have to pay taxes on it!  Subtract another 40% or so depending on what state you live in.  Long story short: a Powerball ticket is a terrible investment - do not buy one!

And what happens to the money that is not paid out in prizes?  Many states advertise that the lottery proceeds go to good causes, for instance, to education or to the elderly.  However, a substantial amount of the lottery revenue comes from people who can ill afford to buy lottery tickets.  As reported by NBC, three Cornell economists found a strong correlation between lottery revenue and poverty rates.  [1]  Sadly, many people have a gambling addiction and spend money uncontrollably on lottery tickets that they need for food and shelter

Then why would I buy a lottery ticket?  “If I had a million dollars…...”   When I have my ticket, I buy that dream and anticipate eagerly the drawing of those very numbers that will make me a millionaire.  So now I have a better idea.  Certainly I can channel luck my way.  What if I set my intentions with the universe to win the jackpot and proceed to use the money for doing as much good as I can in the world?  Can’t I tilt the odds into my favor?  Sounds good in practice; however, what if everyone else sets their intentions with the universe to win the jackpot?  How does the universe deal with that?  Everyone can’t win – there is only one jackpot to split – and only $0.50 per dollar paid in.

Now I have completely talked myself out of the possibility of winning the jackpot.  In doing so, I have set my intentions with the universe.  So I will skip buying the ticket and put the two dollars in my piggybank.  And sleep soundly tonight.

[1] http://www.nbcnews.com/business/economy/powerball-profits-dont-all-go-where-you-think-they-do-f1C7324290

A haiku

Run in the warm sun

Contemplate life’s mysteries

Sensing nature’s dance

I Think I Can...I Think I Can

           

           “Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right.” ~Henry Ford

The mind is truly a powerful thing.  There are countless examples of people using their mind to perform something amazing, accomplish something never done before, or even conquer a terminal disease.  A book by the Reverend Dr. Norman Peale book teaches The Power of Positive Thinking.  Many management courses train employees to use positive affirmations to help achieve their work goals.  There are countless resources that instruct on how to set positive intentions with the universe so that the universe will fulfill those intentions.  Religions guide their followers to pray or meditate to have their petitions fulfilled or for something positive to happen.  With all this in mind, how often have we heard…

            “Enjoy it while it lasts, ’cause it never does.” ~Hal Holbrook

            “Anything that can possibly go wrong does.”  ~Murphy’s Law

How many times have we told ourselves “I’ll never be able to do that anyway, so why bother trying?”

The power of the mind can work in both directions.  Negative thoughts are as crippling as positive thoughts are beneficial.  Why then do we self-sabotage our minds with these types of thoughts?  It may be a habit; it may be learned from parents, family members, coworkers, friends, or loved ones.  Our media spends an inordinate focus on what goes wrong.  In business and on work projects, a significant amount of time is spent on what can go wrong.  We are taught from a very young age to be risk adverse.  Certainly recognizing risks and taking preventive measures are a good practice.  However, we tend to spend far less time on using the power of positive thinking and applying positive affirmations to accomplishing our goals and fulfilling our dreams.  Learning to focus more on the positive and using the power of the mind in your favor will be the key to your success, to accomplish the impossible, or to make your dreams come true.

So think you can… you really can.

Personal photo: Sand Beach, Acadia National Park

To all of my Facebook page followers,

Over the last several months, I have watched the demands on my time increase, both at work and in my personal life.  Everything is going beyond well, just crazy busy.  I have been diligently posting to the page during this period of time.  Yet, for the last several months, the page following has declined.  I’ve kept at it in the hope that things would turn around; however, it has become apparent to me that things are not going to improve and I have to face reality.

It is so easy to blame Facebook for the page’s decline.  Since they have become a publically traded company, they have been attempting to get the pages to pay for distribution of their content and have increasingly restricted how many page followers see the posts for free.  Despite this being a not-for-profit activity, they apply the same rules to us non-profit pages that they do for the large commercial pages.  It is all about profit and I understand that.  However, other non-profit pages are managing to find success in the current environment.  When taking a sober look at the situation, I realize I have been going through the motions and perhaps my heart has not been completely into it.  And the page statistics reflect that.

Over a year ago, I stopped regularly posting to my blog by the same name.  I was experiencing  writer’s block at the time and convinced myself that the page was more important.  In the last few weeks, I have realized that I truly miss writing and the creative process that goes into it.  Therefore, I have made the difficult decision to take the time I currently use to run the page and apply it to other areas of my life, including resurrecting my writing.  I will still post, but far less than I currently do.

I would like to thank everyone for their support over the last two amazing years and for taking this journey with me.

All my best to everyone and continue to be amazing,

Gregg

Personal photo from Brandywine Creek State Park, DE

The universe will provide

The universe has your best intentions at heart.  It is important to open your awareness and, more importantly, your heart to these intentions.  This awareness will help you gain focus on where your passions reside.  Work in those areas of passion.  Reach for your dreams.  And the universe will provide.

Our Children

The most precious resource we have is our children.  Anything we can do to empower all children to realize their full potential is our highest mission as members of the human race.  So act today and make a positive difference in a life of a child. 

Making Your Dreams Come True

Sometimes when it is least expected, an amazing coincidence happens that is life-changing.  And these events are often very subtle and can pass by without being noticed.  They may be sparks of intuition, an unexpected crossing of paths, perhaps a message from afar.  Keep alert for these coincidences and take a big step forward toward making your dreams come true.