The $10.00 Question
On my way home from work the other day, I came upon a $10 bill on the sidewalk. I did what any normal person would do; I pounced on that sucker like a rottweiler on a raw steak. I congratulated myself on my good luck although a small portion of me was disappointed that it was only $10.00. I am not proud of that.
Then a thought came to me. Who's money was this? Was it someone who really needed the money, or was it someone who would barely note the bill was missing. I waited about 10 minutes, almost hoping to see someone frantically scouring the ground for the missing bill so I could return it to them. No one appeared, so I pocketed the $10.
It's still there.
It says a lot that this minuscule sum actually can make a difference in my finances. It's not much, but it's a meal, it's carfare to work. Should I spend it on myself? Should I give it to a homeless person or stuff it in a Salvation Army kettle? Or should I just look at it as a bit of good karma? Of course, my good karma means bad karma for someone else. Did they deserve to lose the cash? Did I deserve to find it?
Opinions, please. No judgements from me on what you say.
posted by John @ 8:03 AM
2 Comments
2 Comments:
I used to be so excited when I found $$, but now I always feel a little guilty wondering about who lost it. About a month ago I found $20 on Austin Street, and felt that elation/guilt combo. Then I reasoned that I live in a neighborhood where we're in the bottom half of the income bracket, so I probably needed it more than the person who lost it - especially at that point as it was close to payday and we were pretty broke.
My opinion is that $10 is rarely enough that it will negatively affect the person who lost it - and anyone who needed it that much would make darn sure that their $$ was secured in their wallet at all times. Accept the gift, and use it to buy a pizza for you and your family.
"Deserve" doesn't figure into this. You're not being assessed for your worthiness to have found that cash, nor has anyone else been punished for something by having lost it.
That you felt concern for the predicament of someone worse off than yourself says good things about your character and your upbringing, but there's no need to fabricate an unseen judge meting out penalties and rewards for mysterious reasons.
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