If you’re reading this post, you’ve already won the lottery.
It’s called the lottery of life.
If you have been born into a country like Canada, the United States, or any other developed country, you’ve won the birth lottery. You’ve won the lottery of being able to grow up in a country of freedom, education, and considerable wealth.
It’s sad that the birth lottery exists. Not everyone is so lucky.
If you lost the lottery, you won’t get the fortune of freedom and education. You won’t have the same opportunity to read or write and you won’t have access to clean water. You’ll probably be guaranteed a life of poverty because you don’t have the basic needs available to you or the education needed. You definitely won’t be able to participate in world discussions since you won’t have a computer or an Internet connection. You’ll be lucky to have a roof over your head and enough food to stay alive.
However, if you win the lottery, you will have the opportunity to read and write. You will have access to clean water and the opportunity of wealth. You will be able to learn about the planet and participate in discussions made possible because of a wide array of products such as computers, the Internet, iPads, iPhones, and many other electronic gadgets. You will have access to health care, healthy food, and sanitary waste disposal. You will also have access to all the basic needs as well as the opportunity to travel and think about deeper things in life.
It’s amazing what the simple chance of birth can do to how your life turns out. I think about how amazing the difference can be when born into one family compared to another.
For example, below is an excerpt from the book Leaving Microsoft to Change the World. This girl was talking to John Wood, the founder of Room to Read, and explaining to him how much she wished that Room to Read was in her town when she was growing up.
“She had lived her youth in a farming village in Sonora, northern Mexico. As a young girl, she loved going to school and was shocked at age 12 to be told by her parents that she needed to drop out. Money being tight, they wanted her to start working. She helped out on a neighboring farm for ten hours a day, receiving eight cents for each hour of backbreaking labor under a scorching sun. At age 16, she had been smuggled across el norte – the U.S. border – and worked as a dishwasher and floor mopper. She had never had the opportunity to resume her education. She told John that if he had been there, maybe she could have stayed in school.”
John goes on to say that their fates had been decided for them at a very young age. John would be born into a white middle-class America while she was the daughter of poor Mexican parents. It was as though John had been given a winning ticket in the lottery of life. (Read more in the book from page 188-189)
Being born in a rich developed country is a winning ticket and shouldn’t be taken for granted. We’ve all been given the opportunity to live an amazing in life and the ability to help others.
Whether you’re in favor of college or not, I think many of us can value the impact that some form of education has had on our lives. I remember always thinking how much I hated school in my younger years not realizing how many kids growing up in less fortunate countries would give for it.
Then I read books like “Leaving Microsoft to Change the World” and I realized how many kids out there would love nothing more than to be able to read a book or know how to operate a computer. As a kid, I loved learning how to read and remember how excited I was when I could read my first book. Why do I deserve this and not others?
It’s only lately how much I realize I have from being born in Canada and the responsibility I have to spread the wealth with those less fortunate.
Although I don’t have much to give at this present time, I would like to donate $50 to Room to Read in light of this article and to donate an extra $50 if I get 10 comments.
All you need to do is leave a comment related to this article and how it made you feel or the non-profit organizations out there that you already support and why.
Once I get 10 comments, I will donate $100 to Room to Read. It takes only $200 to send a girl on a one-year scholarship so if any of you would like to contribute and make the goal of $200, that would be great. Just write it below if you do.
How lucky do you feel today?
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Great post Matt. Like you, we are committed to doing what we can to expand opportunity to those who didn’t win the birth lottery (like we did). Our focus is on empowering woman and girls through education, and we are actually gearing up to head to DC to lobby congress (in partnership with Care International). Citizen activists unite! 🙂
Anyway – One down, nine to go!
Great post! Even when going through hard times, I try to remember to count my blessings- and you’ve pointed out some solid blessings in this post for sure. Even starting out poor in this country (the U.S.) I had access to services like the Book Mobile, which led to a world of opportunity later in life. Not so everywhere or for everyone, as you eloquently point out. I applaud what you’re doing here, am grateful for the book reference, and looking forward to helping lots of folks during my RTW later this year. Best wishes! 🙂
Thanks Lorna! Yes I’m always trying to remind myself as well when I get “mad” over something so menial. IS that a book called “mobile”? RTW trip sounds exciting – What’s the plan?
I definitely feel lucky whenever I sit back and think about all of the great opportunities I have because I was born in America. When I was younger, I went to the slums of Mexico twice to volunteer and help build houses for people without real shelter. It was very life-changing, and I saw many children without sufficient shoes, healthcare, and schools. That has always stayed with me. Whenever I feel like I don’t have enough money or things, I think back to those kids who are so much more disadvantaged than I am, and I feel very fortunate.
Great comment Emily. That must have been an amazing experience in Mexico. I noticed even on the drive from Mexico City to the pyramids all the white concrete box homes. It’s amazing the difference in wealth.
I don’t think I really realized how fortunate I was to be born and live in the US until I first traveled to Indonesia. When you see poverty firsthand with your own eyes it really sinks in much more than simply seeing it on the news or reading about it in a book or magazine. There is so much that we in the developed nations take for granted. I can’t change that I was born advantaged but I can definitely use that to help those in need.
Yes I agree. Although It still exists even close to home. People definitely shouldn’t feel bad for winning the lottery, just happy and finding a purpose to make use of it.
John visited our company last year (Schuberg Philis) and I am still impressed by the work he is doing.
It seems so easy to change the world. It’s unbelievable the leaders of this planet don’t change the world.
It seems this is the 10th post 🙂
thanks,
Hans Goes
oh wow, thats great to hear! Yes his work is amazing. my replies dont count hahaha…. Yes I’ll donate anyways…its great!
Great post! I love Room to Read! IMHO, it’s one of the top non profit in the whole world!
Yes, they are great.:)
I feel like I have won the lottery in my life. I have everything I could ever want-A great family, many wonderful friends, an education, a job I like, supportive co-workers and ggod health. I also support Room to Read. It is an inspirational organization. It makes such a great impact on the world. As a teacher, I feel it is so important that all children are given the oppurtunity to learn to read.
Wow – this is awesome! Thanks so much for the comment and I’m glad your not only living a great life but recognizing that as well 🙂
Sorry for the 2 typos in my post:
good and opportunity
Thank you Matt. I agree the work that Room to Read is doing is fabulous. I wish that I could contribute more myself. I hope John and Wiseman understand my circumstances at the moment and are able to move forward and begin operations in Zimbabwe promptly.
Thanks Robert! Yes I wish I could give more right now to but it will have to wait. I’d really love to go visit some of the work. Seeing those smiling kids in the book inspires me everyday
Lovely post and a good reminder to us all. I have been living in Singapore for the past 5 years and it has given me the opportunity to volunteer with the local Room to Read fundraising chapter and to visit a variety of NGOs in SE Asia that are doing amazing work with people who did not win the lottery of life. Here are just a few:
Gentle Hands, a children’s rescue home, in Manila that is run by my brother and his wife
http://www.facebook.com/gentlehandsinc
http://http://gentlehands.typepad.com/
Centre for Children’s Happiness in Phnom Penh
http://www.cchcambodia.org/
Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation in Vietnam
http://www.bdcf.org/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Blue-Dragon-Childrens-Foundation/49984917234
Best wishes,
Megan
Thanks for the list of other amazing organizations Megan! This is great
Awesome! As a daughter of immigrant parents from India, my parents always remind me of how lucky I am. This was extremely inspiring…if you don’t mind I’d like to use this tactic.
Awesome! Thanks so much for the comment…Which tactic? Room to Read?
Thanks for the great post Matt. I was born just a few miles north of the US-Mexico border in San Diego and could see Tijuana from my house. Its easy to forget how fortunate we are and easy to forget to celebrate that fortune by sharing it with others. Post like this help us remember. Thanks again.
Wow – that must be quite the thing to see everyday. Mexico is close at heart to me (my girlfriend is from Mexico City). Watching some of the shows and reading about the border crossings is sad. It’s inspiring that their just trying to better their life but unfortunate it has to be done that way. Being part of North America, It’s troubling to see this happening here. I’d love to make my way down to San Diego some day!
Well said! Our family is traveling this year to do what we can to provide more opportunities to those who weren’t born into the opportunities we have…including raising money for three Room to Read reading rooms. We can’t do a lot, but we can do something!
Awesome! Congrats! How are you raising the money? It sounds great and maybe I can feature you on the site at a later date 🙂
Feeling great to be a part of this wonderful lottery programme 😛
Well, I have won only few lotteries. I won the birth lottery. I won the education lottery. I won the degree lottery.
–
And being a countrymen of the country which insipired John Wood to go for the “Room to Read”, I have dual feelings. One is obviously the lucky one and the other is just the alternate one. However, its not so much unluckier to be here if you are in the urbans or sub-urbans.
To John Wood, “what you did, and have been doing is amazing”
Amazing work Matt, All too often, people take for granted how lucky they really are, me included. Thanks for the reminder, I am proud to be part of these amazing lotteries. I am very thankful for everything I have, and being from and living in the most amazing country! 🙂
Thanks Sis! haha. Glad your happy 🙂
Thank you for your article (and thank you John for tweeting it) I am going to refer to your article everytime some one in my network of friends or family thinks they do not have enough or is stressed over silly things (yes not making that bonus is a silly thing if you can be grateful for health and knowing that you did your best… and yes that pair of manolo’s would be nice but no its not really something some one should be sad about!)
I am grateful for my lottery ticket. I have been blessed since the day I was born (tho it took me 29 yrs before I realised how lucky I was and now I am on the road of happiness) …and now I want to pay it forward.
This is the first time I am posting a comment on any blogs …I want you to donate the $50 to Room to Read (and yes I am a huge supporter.. I volunteer for the Chapter in Singapore!)
Wow, thats awesome. Must be a great organization to volunteer for! I’m glad it’s inspired you to share with people…It took me a while to realize it as well! 🙂
Amazing Matt – though I’ve long maintained precisely the same philosophy, i.e. “But for some fluke, I happened to be born to a middle-class couple in Chicago as opposed to, say… a single mother of 8 in a dirt-floored thatched hut in Mozambique.”, I’ve never before seen anyone else voice it.
And likewise, my mantra has long been (we’re talking 60+ years here!) similar to yours: “This ain’t a dress rehearsal, folks!”
Thanks Dyanne! I had always touched on the philosophy but became really touched by it when I read “Leaving Microsoft to Change the World”. The story completely grounded that philosophy for me. Glad to see we think the same 🙂
Great post Matt. Like you, we are committed to doing what we can to expand opportunity to those who didn’t win the birth lottery (like we did). Our focus is on empowering woman and girls through education, and we are actually gearing up to head to DC to lobby congress (in partnership with Care International). Citizen activists unite! 🙂
Anyway – One down, nine to go
wow – that sounds really amazing. Congrats on taking such a bold leap.. I’d love to hear more
Hello
I am borned i iran and live here.being born in america
Is like winning the lottery.
You dont know how lucky you and every thing seems normal and ordinary.here we dont have freedom
of speech.everything even sbasic human rights is not legal here.
1.dancing and bars or clubs is prohibbiitted and you will be punished.
2.having sex with someone else(not married)can lead to dead penalty.
3.we dont have freedom of speech.
4.we should go to military service for 21 mounths(i have compeleted it)
5.income are low 170 to 350 dollars a mounth and surprising thing is that the prices are not very cheaper than united states.can your u live by that?
So prey for your luck and move forward like me.
One day i will come to united states and make a big impact on world.
Have a. Nice day
Wow, thank you so much for sharing. I have friends who have visited Iran and met Iranians and love it. But you don’t hear the personal side of being born there, so thank you for sharing. I also think people should be grateful here in Canada. I hope your wish comes through. The world needs more love.
Yeah, so lucky to be a us or Canadian compare to those who were born in Africa or Vietnam.
yes, I understand. My wife is from Mexico and although each person has different “luck”, generally speaking, Canada is the better country. But it’s important to look at the good and the bad. There have been some immigrants who moved to Canada from Africa and regretted it, as back home they had farmland they own and in Canada, they struggle to get by. On another note, we really hope to visit Vietnam one day!
It is very important to remember this: even though some have “won the lottery” in the US and Canada, there are those who were born here who did not win any such lottery. Similar to the person from Iran, we do not have freedom of speech to the degree in which everyone believes. We do not have lawmakers who represent the interests of the people, they work for those who pay for their campaigns. We do not have freedom to be Black and feel safe driving in your car. We do not all have the blessing of having what we need to eat, nourishing food in our bellies and for our children.
The concept that we have won the lottery (the broad stroke painted here) creates the illusion that it’s all good here, when, for marginalized groups and the poor, the chances of “climbing” outside of your class and out of poverty are slim to none. “4 percent of children from low-income families achieved a college education, compared to 45 percent of children from higher-income families.” – (https://www.newsweek.com/why-rich-stay-rich-and-poor-stay-poor-363611)
And , starting on page 10 and on into page 11 – https://www.bostonfed.org/inequality2014/papers/reeves-sawhill.pdf – “Half the black children born into the bottom quintile remain there in adulthood, compared to just one in four whites. Only 3 percent join the top income quintile, implying that a real-life “rags to riches” story is unlikely for black children.
Moreover, unlike white children and the population as a whole, black children with
middle-class roots are more likely to fall than to rise. Of black children born to parents in the middle income quintile, only 14 percent move upward in the distribution, 37 percent remain 14 middle class, and 69 percent move downward. The equivalent breakdown in the white distribution is 44 percent, 23 percent, and 34 percent, respectively.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2014/10/18/poor-kids-who-do-everything-right-dont-do-better-than-rich-kids-who-do-everything-wrong/
All this is to say, that if we congratulate ourselves, without acknowledging the SYSTEMs of protections for some people vs. others, in terms of the proverbial “lottery ticket”, then we are doing a tremendous disservice to ourselves and an even more tremendous disservice and even HARM to those who do not share those winning tickets – THOSE WHO ARE LIKELY your neighbors. Their circumstances, WHERE THEY WERE BORN was not their choice, are most certainly the fate to which they are bestowed. There are still people eating out of the garbage and women who do not feel safe at work, even in the US and UK – however, it’s more hidden and the disparities are swept under the rug (or a 15 second soundbite on the news) to maintain the idea that the “American Dream” or whatever you call it in Canada, is available to everyone, when clearly it is not.
I totally agree. Not everyone has won the lottery, but there’s no doubt that on an average basis, or even for almost anyone with no connections, being born in Canada is far better than being born in a third-world country. I can’t speak to the USA but none of my black friends in Alberta have had issues with law enforcement. Racism exists in every country on Earth. It’s not a white thing at all. But I realize the benefits of being born in Canada even more now than ever before. My wife is from Mexico, which isn’t even close to being one of the poorest countries on Earth. It is, however, one of the most corrupt countries on Earth. And my wife, who came from a lower-middle-class family, can easily see how much Canada is far better. People are clamouring to get out. Taxes are paid but you don’t see the benefits like we do here. If you open up a business, someone will be at your door immediately demanding “security
money which you have to pay. Cost of living in [places like Mexico City is equal to Canada and yet the starting salary of a fortune-500 company is $1000 per month. The minimum wage is $5 per day. No one trusts a single cop. During Covid, Canadians who lost income got $2,000 each per month. In Mexico, they got a one-time payment of $50. Same for all latin America. So, even though I acknowledge that Canada is far from perfect and has had some horrible atrocities in its history, there are very few places that are better. I have some family and have known some people who are on the poor side here in Canada. Yes, it sucks becuase of the cost of living, but they get government cheques and free health care, and tons of resources, whereas in most other countries, they’d likely be on the street. – – – But yes, we must continue to improve the situation. I think it’s taxing the rich