June 22, 2012
What would you do if you unexpectedly received a large sum of money one day? Someone was lucky enough to be in this position. And he or she chose to take “pay it forward” literally, and to the next level. “Last year I suddenly came into some money. Lots of money. More money than I’ll ever need. Logically, I decided to spend a hefty chunk on space travel and I booked a place on the Virgin Galactic space flight. I loved space - all kids do. My school space project in Junior 3 was 35 pages long but I wasn’t obsessed like some kids and I never got into science fiction. Is Star Wars science fiction? Well I loved that, obviously. $400,000 sounded like a price worth paying. I was to be number 421.  When I told my friends, they agreed that a trip into space would be cool but not something they’d really consider if the cash was theirs to spend. They all said they were excited for me but when the conversation turned to what they’d spend the money on - as it inevitably did - their own ideas were more creative, generous and responsible than mine. I became increasing embarrassed as I realised I was blowing a life-changing amount of money on what was essentially a selfish and pointless whim. A few days later I cancelled the flight. I promised myself that I’d do something great with that space flight money. Something to really make a difference. I wanted to find a cool way to give the cash away - spread it around - but at the same time retain some kind of affinity with the benefactors. I thought long and hard about how to make an impact in a way that I could be involved in and would feel good about. I wrestled with this for ages and the more I thought about it, the more difficult it was.  That was how Wearelucky came about. I decided to pass on my good luck to others by giving away £1,000 every day. I planned to give the money to complete strangers - someone different every time - and all I’d ask is that they’d do something positive with the cash.” The results are now curated on an online gallery, We Are Lucky. P.S.: Chinese proverb of the day - 施比受, 更有福. Giving is more fortunate than receiving.

What would you do if you unexpectedly received a large sum of money one day? Someone was lucky enough to be in this position. And he or she chose to take “pay it forward” literally, and to the next level.

“Last year I suddenly came into some money. Lots of money. More money than I’ll ever need. Logically, I decided to spend a hefty chunk on space travel and I booked a place on the Virgin Galactic space flight. I loved space - all kids do. My school space project in Junior 3 was 35 pages long but I wasn’t obsessed like some kids and I never got into science fiction. Is Star Wars science fiction? Well I loved that, obviously. $400,000 sounded like a price worth paying. I was to be number 421. 

When I told my friends, they agreed that a trip into space would be cool but not something they’d really consider if the cash was theirs to spend. They all said they were excited for me but when the conversation turned to what they’d spend the money on - as it inevitably did - their own ideas were more creative, generous and responsible than mine. I became increasing embarrassed as I realised I was blowing a life-changing amount of money on what was essentially a selfish and pointless whim. A few days later I cancelled the flight.

I promised myself that I’d do something great with that space flight money. Something to really make a difference. I wanted to find a cool way to give the cash away - spread it around - but at the same time retain some kind of affinity with the benefactors. I thought long and hard about how to make an impact in a way that I could be involved in and would feel good about. I wrestled with this for ages and the more I thought about it, the more difficult it was. 

That was how Wearelucky came about. I decided to pass on my good luck to others by giving away £1,000 every day. I planned to give the money to complete strangers - someone different every time - and all I’d ask is that they’d do something positive with the cash.”

The results are now curated on an online gallery, We Are Lucky.

P.S.: Chinese proverb of the day - 施比受, 更有福. Giving is more fortunate than receiving.

1:49pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZuwNYyNvGOp7
(Notes: 17)
  
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