Cash in Your Lottery Ticket!
4 July 2009 in Favorites, Society, United StatesI won the lottery when I was born an American. Most readers here are probably winners, too. Many Americans, however, never realize the value of their winnings. Have you cashed in your ticket or have you taken for granted your potential as an American citizen?
There is no other country that infuses its citizens with such creative and entrepreneurial thoughts as the United States. Those with new ideas, willing to put in the intelligent effort, can become wildly successful in the US.
People around the globe recognize us for our enterprising nature. Last year, on a flight overseas, I sat next to a Scandinavian woman. During our conversation, I mentioned one of my so-called “Million Dollar Ideas.” She said “That’s what I like about Americans. No one in my country would ever dream of such a thing. You guys think so differently.” Seeing new possibilities is in our blood.
This past week, I had dinner with a Canadian expatriate living in South Korea. He has aspirations to live in the United States and make a name for himself. The US, he says, is a place where people really can go from “rags to riches.” Even our next door neighbors recognize what a special place we are.
Today, Independence Day, as I continue to dwell on my future, I want to take a moment to remember all the world’s possibilities. As Americans, we have the ability to make those possibilities into reality, more so than any other country’s citizens. Let us not take that for granted. Cash in your lottery ticket by taking a chance on one of your ideas!
Do you think Americans can go from rags to riches or is this a fantasy? Why do so many Americans take their citizenship for granted? Do they not see the possibilities? Why do so many immigrants seem to understand the potential of Americans better than those of us born here? Have we become too wealthy a nation for our own good, to where so many Americans have so may comforts handed to them that they don’t strive for more? Do you have any ideas or dreams you haven’t acted upon yet? What are you waiting for?
Hey Brooko,
So, having lived for several years in socialist and pre/post communist coutries, here’s my take. I don’t think United Statesians are any more innovative or entrepreneurial than any other nation(I know entrepreneurs from Zimbabwe, Russia, Mexico, China, India, Poland, Venezuela, Germany – you name it).
People all over the world are enterprising – just to different degrees and within the constraints and opportunities of their local system. But, we have a solid infrastructure and a culture in the U.S. that supports innovation and entrepreneurship…puts it more firmly within our reach.
So, I think that people born in the US may be more likely to pursue innovative activities – whether starting a business or engaging in some other discovery-based process – just because the culture says they can or should.
But, I also think that the reason so many immigrants are successful here is because they individually believe they can or should do something and have the drive to do it, and recognize that the support structure exists here in ways that it doesn’t where they come from.
With regard to cashing in my own lottery ticket: I know its worth and know what to do with it. I can do things in this country that I could not do anywhere else. I value the freedoms, safety, comforts, and control that living here allows me – particularly as a woman. And, I am willing to put in the effort needed to put that ticket to good use.
Sorry for the long post – just something I think about a lot.
Thank you for the comment! Interesting take on things. Here in Seoul, there are thousands of street vendors selling tshirts, food, and curios…so, they all seem to be independent operators. Maybe they aren’t on the same scale as what we’d expect to see in the states, but they are enterprising, and doing what they can within their country’s structure.
In a way, due to their less developed economic support structures, many of these countries have a leg up on the US in their support of local merchants. It can be very difficult in the US to be a street vendor when WalMart is on every other block. Maybe the US is overdeveloped, making the barrier to entry too high for individuals, and tough for even peer mega conglomerates?
In any case, we do have many special advantages as Americans that we often take for granted. I’m glad you don’t! Believe me, I see it, and am always impressed by how you guys are going for it, and avoiding the corporate rat race!