"I Won the Lottery!"

by Rabbi Max Anteby 

Yes, it’s me. You may not have heard about it, but I've won millions of dollars. I’m so excited! I wouldn't trade the experience for anything in the world.

I prefer to take my prizes in small doses so that I can enjoy each one. I can't wait until tomorrow morning to claim them.

Bright and early at 7AM, the sound waves of my radio will strike my ears as I wake to the sound of the weatherman telling me there's a 50% chance of partly cloudy or sunny or rainy weather.

Then I'll open my eyes, those two perfectly synchronized, coordinated full-color cameras that process a billion million images per second.

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The best part is I win this lottery every day

Then I'll sit up and wait those 12 seconds it takes for the blood of my system to fully return to my head. While I drink in the thoughts of a new day, I recite the 12 words of the Hebrew morning prayer that begins with - Modeh Ani Lefanechah - I give thanks before You.

I stretch my legs and put them on the floor. Muscles are fully functional. Nervous system is operating well. Heart is pumping. Lungs are breathing. Priceless prizes each one!

But that's just the beginning. I stand up and head for the bathroom. The all-important digestive system is working as planned - especially that urinary tract (at my age that's very important).

Then I get to treasure the simple prizes of life - hot running water, clothing, shoes, belt (with multiple holes for before and after lunch), taste buds that pick up the smallest nuances of flavor from everything I eat. Food! Coffee! Water!

It's almost too good to believe! And the best part is I win this lottery every day. And you know what? It doesn't even cost a dollar.

No, I wouldn't trade my prizes for all the money in the world.