Song of the Week:
Cross my Mind by: Olivia Dean
The Festive Spirit
This time of year, it always leaves me broke, and I know I’m not the only one. Did you know one in eight Americans uses a credit card to pay for the holidays? I can’t decide if that’s a smart move—since you’re going to buy the gifts anyway, you might as well build credit—or if it just highlights how expensive life has become. It’s hard to say. These days, you never really know what’s going on with people’s financial situations, and honestly, I wish we did. There’s something about suffering in silence that I wouldn’t wish on anyone, not even my worst enemy.
That said, when it’s time to shop for family gifts, I’m one of those people with a million and one ideas but zero dollars to make them happen. And for some strange reason, I always end up thinking: “If I won the lottery right now it would solve all my problems.” I know collectively, we ALL think this and to be honest, I hate it. It sucks having money being the root of all your problems especially since there is a huuuuuge jackpot that could eliminate not only mine but the entire country.
But here’s where it gets complicated: What would winning the lottery really mean for me— or for anyone? I remember a TV show that followed people who won the lottery and how they spent their newfound wealth. However, it was quickly canceled due to the negative energy it created. People would literally kill for that kind of money, and it seemed like family members would suddenly appear, asking for a share. Yes, some winners bought their dream houses, cars, and clothes, but after the show, 9 out of 10 of those people ended up worse off than they were before. It makes you wonder—does winning the lottery really solve problems, or does it simply replace one set of challenges with another?
Tricky, Tricky, Tricky
When you buy a lottery ticket, you are essentially hoping for a break, a chance at something you didn’t earn but would benefit from, nonetheless. There’s no skill, no work involved—just a random selection. And yet, many people view it as their best shot at achieving something better for themselves, perhaps because it represents a dream of escaping from an otherwise unfair system. Is it wrong to place our hope in something so random? Or is it an acknowledgment that our current system is to blame for the product of such an idea?
There’s something oddly philosophical about the very idea of the lottery, a game of chance that invites us to imagine a better life, free from the stress of finances. But the truth is, we’re not just buying tickets; we’re buying into a system that reflects our deepest desires for security, control, and escape. There’s also a deeper, more existential question about free will and determinism that the lottery brings to mind. If you win, it seems to suggest that life has chosen you, that fate has smiled upon you. What does that mean for our sense of control in life?
Philosophers like Sartre argue that we are “condemned to be free”—that we bear responsibility for our choices and actions. According to Sartre, we are not defined by any predetermined essence or nature; instead, we create our essence through the choices we make. This idea is encapsulated in his famous assertion, “existence precedes essence,” meaning we are born without a set purpose, and it is through our actions and decisions that we define who we are.
Though Sartre emphasizes our freedom, life often presents constraints in the form of external circumstances. The lottery, with its purely random selection, seems to challenge the idea of personal agency. If we can be “chosen” by luck, does that imply we are subject to forces beyond our control? I know some people who seem incredibly lucky, leading me to wonder if their paths are somehow preordained—perhaps written in the stars. If that’s the case, maybe the lottery isn’t as random in that sense.
Does money buy happiness?
And then there’s the question of happiness. The notion that winning the lottery would solve all our problems implies that wealth equals happiness, yet philosophers like Epicurus have argued that wealth alone does not lead to true contentment. Instead, they believe that the simple pleasures of life, like friendship, health, and meaningful work, are the key to happiness. While I mainly agree with sentiment, I also think this man hasn’t lived in the twenty-first century. Can wealth ever truly solve our problems? I would have to agree, having money would relieve the stress of paying bills, not stressing about education, buying gifts, and most importantly time. You could have a lot of free time. Which begs for another avenue about how we view wealth and buying opportunity in society.
A lucky few win big, the vast majority are left with nothing but the “promise” of a future payout. This creates a kind of hope-fueled economy where the odds are perpetually stacked against the players. Paradoxically, it’s this very hope that keeps the system alive and a reason for the government to allow this behavior. They only say it is legal because they get a cut of the pot when anyone wins. Preying on those who hope for a way out makes the idea of a lottery not so fun anymore. Personally, it never is for me, I will continue to hate this concept till we just take all the money one day.
I am willing to bet this has crossed your mind
In the end, the lottery is more than just a game—it’s a reflection of how we view wealth, opportunity, and happiness in our society. It promises a quick escape, a dream of solving life’s problems with one lucky ticket. But the reality is far less glamorous. While a few people may strike gold, most are left chasing an illusion, contributing to a system that capitalizes on hope rather than addressing the systemic issues that create inequality in the first place.
Sure, wealth might bring temporary relief— fewer worries about bills, education, or time. But it’s worth questioning whether that relief truly equates to happiness or if it simply shifts the burden elsewhere. As long as the lottery exists, it will continue to dangle the idea of a better life, often at the expense of those who can least afford to chase it. And for me? I can’t help but resent the entire concept.
This week’s song, Cross My Mind by Olivia Dean, feels like the perfect companion to this reflection. It’s a reminder that our thoughts often drift to what could be, but maybe we’d be better off focusing on what truly matters—connection, meaning, and the little joys that money can’t buy. Anytime times get tough, that simple thought of winning the lottery will be bound to cross our minds.
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