What Would You Do If You Had a Million Dollars?

In a couple hours the potential winning numbers for the Mega Millions Lottery, with its jackpot approaching $600 million, will be drawn. I was at the drug store yesterday so I bought a couple tickets. Why not? It would certainly make this trip a lot easier and we wouldn’t have to worry about finding jobs when we get back.

In the movie Office Space, Peter Gibbons and his co-workers discuss the hypothetical question, “What would you do if you had a million dollars?” under the premise that whatever you answer is what you should do with your life.

Peter Gibbons: Our high school guidance counselor used to ask us what you’d do if you had a million dollars and you didn’t have to work. And invariably what you’d say was supposed to be your career. So, if you wanted to fix old cars then you’re supposed to be an auto mechanic.

Samir: So what did you say?

Peter Gibbons: I never had an answer. I guess that’s why I’m working at Initech.

Whenever this discussion would come up amongst friends, I always answered without hesitation. I would quit my job and go travel around the world. The problem was I never saw how exactly that translated into a job or a livelihood. Opportunities exist with travel writing but as of now I have a couple of freelance web design clients and that’s it. There are other possibilities but if I talk about them they won’t happen.

There’s a billboard on my way to work that shows the current jackpots for the three major lotteries in Indiana. I could always judge my current job satisfaction based on how longingly I would stare at the jackpot numbers and daydream about winning. Last year at this time it was a regular occurrence. However for the last several months I really haven’t paid it any mind because I’ve been happy knowing I was done at the end of the year and leaving on our trip. Since I bought tickets yesterday I allowed myself a little day dream time to think about what I’d do if I actually won. Not much would change really. We’d still leave in January. We would probably stay in a bit nicer places and drink better wine, but we’d still be living out of our backpacks.

The nice part is that in the past the post daydream hangover of realizing that you didn’t hit a single number and that you have to go to work the next day isn’t really a problem this time. I only have six days left in the office and I’m getting ready to do what I’d do if I won to an extent. Now I just need to make a job out of it.