The Serendipity of Wealth: Lessons from Near Misses and Unexpected Gains
I have experienced moments of near misses, where the outcome was tantalizingly close to a significant payday. Yet, I look back on these experiences with a sense of gratitude for the unexpected gains that have enriched my life in ways not measured in dollars and cents.
More than Dollars: The True Measure of Wealth
It’s not about having a substantial bank account or a nine-figure net worth. True wealth, for many, lies in the small yet meaningful things. My current net worth isn’t impressive by some financial standards, but I live in a beautiful, fully-paid-for house, free from debt, with enough income to sustain my lifestyle. I have enough resources for retirement, am in good health, and am prepared for potential economic downturns. I am energy, water, and food independent, and I have the freedom to do what I want without the constraints of financial obligations.
A Comment on the Value of Wealth
Some kinds of wealth are not measured in dollars and cents. This is a sentiment that rings true from personal experience. Take, for example, a horse racing event I attended years ago with some friends. I often did not bet on races, but as a joke, I placed a bet on two horses with the worst odds. At the time, these horses hadn’t won or even placed in a race. Yet, fate played a hand, and as the race neared the final turn, the lead horse tripped and fell, causing most horses to slow down. The two horses I had bet on surged to the front. If they had come in in the order I had bet them, my odds of winning would have been astronomically high – potentially around $200,000. Unfortunately, the horses came in the opposite order that I had bet, which did not yield a win for me.
Unexpected Gains and Lottery Wins
My most memorable near miss came in 1990, when I placed a regular five-pound investment in the UK National Lottery. That week’s jackpot was a modest seven or eight million, yet it could have changed my life if I won. Saturday night arrived, and after the draw, I examined my ticket. I noticed that some of the numbers were familiar. Excitement raced through me as I checked one of my lines, and I shouted, ‘Hooey! I got three numbers; Ten quid!’ Initially, I thought I had only one winning line, but when I handed my ticket to the shop assistant at the off-license liquor store, she confirmed with the terminal that I had two lines of winning numbers and had won twenty pounds.
The joy and surprise I felt were indescribable, but what this experience taught me was that true wealth sometimes comes in unexpected packages. It’s not just about financial gains but also about the value we find in simpler, more tangible things. The matter of financial independence means more than just having enough to live comfortably; it’s about having the freedom to choose where you live, how you spend your time, and what pursuits you pursue.