Historical Slant

"The universe is made of stories, not of atoms." Muriel Rukeyser

If I Had a Million Dollars

A pile of dollar bills

One of the classes I teach to junior high students is Creative Writing. A writing prompt I give each quarter is: What would you do if you had a million dollars? I provide the students with time to write an answer, then we discuss what they’ve written, and then, of course, listen to “If I Had a Million Dollars” by the Barenaked Ladies.

The discussions we have around this topic are always interesting and inspiring. Out of 25-30 students each quarter, only two or three say they would buy the newest gaming system or a nice car or motorcycle. I expect that, they are twelve years old. However, what surprises me every time is what most of them say they would spend the money on. I usually get answers such as: I would buy my Mom a house, I would put it in the bank and pay for me and my sister to go to college, I would buy my grandma some new clothes, I would hide it for homeless people to find or I would fix my Dad’s truck. These are heart-warming answers and give me hope for the future. These young students are thinking of ways to make life easier and more comfortable for those around them. They would jump at the opportunity to help people in any way they could.

Now, let’s extend this scenario for a minute. Say you became a leader and could use the resources you were in charge of to help others. You could give them money to buy things they needed, help them improve their situation, give to those without, and let everyone know that what they were doing in life was worthwhile and that they had so much to offer the world. 

Imagine having so much power to do good but not being as mature as a 7th-grade student. So, instead of helping as many people as possible, you made life more difficult, depressing, and overwhelming for them all. Can you imagine anyone being so cruel, selfish, and out of touch?

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4 responses to “If I Had a Million Dollars”

  1. Jean Raliegh Avatar
    Jean Raliegh

    Thank you! I wonderful way to look at the situation at hand for our officials….

    Reply
  2. Jane Pryce Avatar
    Jane Pryce

    If only our leaders had the love and integrity of seventh-graders 🙂 There are too many adult humans whose only outlook is more for themselves

    Reply
  3. Elaine Avatar
    Elaine

    So glad you sent me your blog. Thanks!
    I have two favorite charities that I like to contribute to when I can. Habitat for Humanity and Heifer International. Both are charities that ‘don’t just give the recipient a fish , but also teach the recipient how to fish’. Habitat for Humanity builds solid beginner homes for families in need of one. Part of the deal involves the family putting in their own sweat equity to help build the home. They learn valuable skills, ultimately value the home more because of their efforts involved in helping to build it, and they get a home to live in at the end of the project. I love the beauty of that idea.
    Heifer International can involve the donation of one of various farm animals to a needy family and the education they need on how to care for, breed, and harvest or sell their animals to others. In other words, the recipient family receives the donation of chicks, or baby goats, or another type and are taught how to care for and feed them. The family can increase their flocks or herd and use them for food and income. The family’s financial situation improves and they begin to take care of their needs through the donation and training they receive. To me there is nothing better than helping others help themselves.
    I love this idea too.

    Reply
    1. lwholden Avatar
      lwholden

      Thanks for sharing about these. I’ve heard of Habitat for Humanity but not the Heifer International. There are so many ways to help others.

      Reply

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