$1,000,000: What Would You Do For It?

“Property may be destroyed and money may lose its purchasing power; but character, health, knowledge and good judgment will always be in demand under all conditions.” Roger Babson

Money Mandala: Tibetan yinyang via Despina

A Proposition
At different points in our lives, we get asked the question; what would you do WITH a million dollars? What would you do if you won this that and the other lottery? The natural response is to rattle off a litany of good deeds and fine things we will give and get. Easy, right? Hey, who doesn’t like a walk down fantasy lane as that’s the easy part. But what will we really do if the question is changed slightly and the dare is real?

Once in a while, we might get asked another version of the question: What will you do FOR a million dollars? Right away, our druthers go up and we start thinking of the moral implications…. What will I really do for that amount? What could I be prompted or pushed to do for a million bucks? … on and on until we realize we have not answered the question. Why not? What part of our psyche is not willing to engage with this question? Why is it easy to fantasize than to commit? Is it for fear of realizing we are no longer dreaming? Is it for fear of letting go of our dream?

“The highest use of capital is not to make more money, but to make money do more for the betterment of life.” Henry Ford

The Prompt I chose for MamaKat’s Writers Workshop is:
1.) ….and then I realized it was all a dream.

The Dare for Money: Juan Rodrigues

The Incident
A couple of days ago, I was drifting in and out of sleep when I heard a news report about a young man named Juan Rodriguez, who on a $1,000,000 dare from billionaire Alki David, owner of Battle.Cam, stripped naked, scrawled Battle.cam and Mr. David’s name on his chest, and pranced around trying to get President Obama’s attention.

Thankfully, the sad part was that he didn’t achieve his aim as the president never noticed. He was duly arrested, carted off and booked for lewd behavior. Meanwhile, Mr. David agreed to give Juan a consolation price but at what cost to Juan? He’ll be in court on November 5th on indecent exposure charges and, when all is said and done, he might pay out more for his foolishness than he expected.

Are you willing to do same for a million bucks? I don’t know about you but I’m not buying.

“What material success does is provide you with the ability to concentrate on other things that really matter. And that is being able to make a difference, not only in your own life, but in other people’s lives.”Oprah Winfrey

Money Rich in Minerals: Toad River Valley by Michael Christopher Brown NatGeo

The DREAM
I drifted off to sleep and sure enough there was that scene playing out in my dream world, only this time I’m in it; NOT nude but dressed and having a debate with Mr. Rodriguez and Mr. David about price tags.

Disclaimer: This blogger has never met Mr. David or Mr. Rodriguez. She was not drinking, smoking, or medicated on anything when this dream occurred. It was merely a dream sequence and no offers or dares have been extended nor will she be soliciting for any.

Me: Why bother daring people to do stupid stuff for money when you can give it to an institution in your name say, for cancer research?

David: I give to charity already; this is interactive advertising for my website.

Juan: On second thoughts, I should have negotiated a Plan B fee… incremental on what I get for each step.

Me: Are you remorseful that you might have ruined Juan’s job options?

David: He’s an adult; I’m not liable for his decision to go for the money.

Juan: I was motivated by my need to help my family, not necessarily the money. At least I got a consolation price out of it.

Me: Mr. David, are you willing to stop this stunt and pay an expert to write smarter ads for you in the future? Juan, what’s next?

David: Hmmm. It brought tons of traffic to the site and the interactive approach is a viable trend.

Juan: I pushed through some fears and might go for something without nudity next.

David: How about you? What are you willing to do for your demographic for a million bucks?

Me: My demographic? I’ll need a bigger pay out than that…. Do What? Are you serious? What?

I woke up hearing myself shouting what? What? What? Don’t ask… I’ll never say. I don’t remember. What I do know is that it was all a dream…

Advice: Be careful what you aim for. Our motivations must be positive and clear or only God knows what will happen. What outrageous thing are you willing to do for $1,000,000? Is there no price tag worth discussing? Do tell.

PHOTO CREDITS:
Photo of Tibetan yin yang Money Mandala via Despina
Photo of Juan Rodriguez via MSN.com.au
Photo of Toad River Valley via National Geographic

Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet