Written by Dennis Harvell
Every time the headlines scream about a billion‑dollar jackpot, I pause — not because I want to play, but because it reminds me of who I used to be.
For years, I played everything: Mega Millions, Powerball, Pick 5, the regular lotto. Week after week, I bought into the hope that maybe this time I’d hit something meaningful. I wasn’t chasing yachts or mansions. I would’ve been happy with a few million — just enough to breathe a little easier.
But the truth was simple:
The odds were never in my favor.
And over time, I spent far more than I ever won.
Eventually, I stepped back and realized the emotional cycle wasn’t worth it. You go in hopeful, you come out annoyed, and the pattern repeats. That’s not entertainment. That’s low‑level gambling dressed up as possibility.
Walking away was one of the best decisions I ever made.
Today, I don’t miss it. I don’t even think about it unless a headline pops up about some ridiculous jackpot. And when it does, I feel nothing but gratitude — because I built a life where I don’t need a miracle to feel secure.
Thirty years ago, I made a plan. I sacrificed, worked hard, stayed disciplined, and stayed focused. Now I’m living the results of that long game — with a peace I didn’t have to gamble for.”
I’m fortunate — not because of luck, but because of intention.
So when I see a $1.5 billion jackpot, I don’t feel tempted. I feel grounded. I feel proud. And I feel grateful that I no longer have to buy hope in $2 increments.
Some people chase the stars.
I built my own sky.
