You'll always miss 100% of the shots you don't take. ~ Wayne Gretzky

I no longer make New Year's Resolutions. I tend to live my life in such a way, that I'm constantly in a place of personal development.

Most humans wait until January 1st to lose weight, eat healthier, stop drinking so much, etc. However, considering I run a website dedicated to personal development, I practice those lifestyle habits all-year-round.

Breaking News: This year, I've decided I DO have a New Year's Resolution!

I'm going to start playing the lottery every week.

I was inspired with this new habit after my horoscope (from five days ago) said I had a great chance of winning the lottery (that day). I don't believe in horoscopes. I wrote a blog about the absurdity of believing in horoscopes, highlighting how it destroys an individual's creative power. I then conducted an experiment that proved the "Horoscope Theory" to be a fraud.



I spent $20 on lottery tickets that day. Three $5 scratch-offs didn't win a single dollar. I also played $5 worth of Mega Millions Lotto tickets, which didn't win anything, either.

But I've learned the secret to winning the lottery.

I've never been a gambling man. Even when I'm in Las Vegas, I don't do much gambling; you'll rarely win. The House keeps feeding you free drinks, which destroys your ability to focus and make good decisions. They never run out of money; yet, as the the alcohol keeps coming, you eventually will.

Or you'll at least lose enough to become frustrated and finally stop playing.

I read a cute little story recently, that was the inspiration for my new lottery resolution. I realize that it's only socially acceptable for females to use "cute little" to describe something, but I'm in touch with my feminine side, so like, it's totally cool and junk.

It went something like this:

Day after day, the man prayed to God, "Lord, please let me win the lottery!" Day after day, the man was disappointed, because God had failed to give him his request. "Lord," the man pleaded, full of frustration, "I've been a faithful servant, why won't you let me win the lottery?!"

Finally, a voice rang down from the heavens. It was Almighty God Herself, who said, "Why won't you buy a lottery ticket?"

Now wasn't that a cute little story?



R.I.P. Neo. =)

All too often, humans beg "God" to answer their prayers, but they don't take any action themselves. This metaphor, obviously, isn't just about winning the lottery. It's being projected with the intention of helping you remember (or realize) that you — the human — has to put forth a certain amount of effort.

I often use the tomato to illustrate this idea.



Your job, is to find a place to plant the tomato seed. You dig a hole, plant the seeds, and nurture them as they grow. Nature (or God) will handle the "underground" work. As the tomato plant is growing, you may have to add water or fertilizer. You may have to pull out the weeds that try to stunt its growth.

All the while, Nature is handling the details that you're incapable of handling. Eventually, the tomato will be fully ripened and ready to enjoy. You can then sink your teeth into your tomato, thus, appreciating the fruits of your co-creation experiment.

Winning the lottery is no different: You have to plant the seed.

Getting a new job is no different: You have to plant the seed.

Creating a new relationship is no different: You have to plant the seed.

Creating six-pack abs is no different: You have to plant the seed.

Do you see(d) what I mean?

After researching the different lottery options in the state of Virginia, I've decided on two:

• Decades of Dollars
• Powerball

The chances of winning the Mega Millions jackpot is 1 in 175,000,000. Those odds just aren't appealing to me. I don't need 80 million dollars to create an enjoyable life-experience. I'm already able to do that with very little money.

Powerball also has odds of 1 in 175,000,000 for the jackpot prize. However, it also has a prize of $1 Million if you match all 5 numbers (without the Powerball). Odds of winning that cool $1 Million prize are 1 in 5,000,000.

Decades of Dollars is my favorite option. The odds of winning the top prize is 1 in 10,000,000. You'll win $250,000 per year for 30 years. Or you can opt for the $4,000,000 cash payout.

I've decided to purchase tickets (in advance) for the next 26 drawings of Decades of Dollars. Two drawings per week, means $26 will get me through the next 13 weeks — or 3 months. Which means, I'll be investing a whopping $104 in the Virginia Lottery over the course of the year. And I can rest easy, knowing that the money will be invested into Virginia's Public Schools.

It's a win-win.

And when I win-win the lottery (due to the quality seeds I've planted into the Universe for the benefit of Mankind), I will tell no one of my win.

I will simply help my fellow Earth creatures — $100 at a time.

The secret to winning the lottery: You have to buy a ticket.

Make sure you're "buying tickets" aka planting seeds for the other areas of life, in which, you hope to create jackpots. =)

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