As I was driving to work the other day there was a news story about a man who found two envelopes with $5,000.00 in each one at the airport. They said that the man took the envelopes, which were marked with the Caesar’s Palace logo, to security and they were able to trace them back to a gambler from Texas who had dropped them while running to catch a flight back home. The man who found them said he turned them in because he wanted to set an example for his kids by showing them “the right” thing to do.

Now, there have been many times when I’ve found things like wallets, cell phones, and little purses and I’ve turned them in, without giving it a second thought. I believe in Karma, so I fear that if I keep whatever I find I may end up losing more as the universe’s way of making things right. The thing is that $10,000.00 is a lot of money, especially during this time of year. If I were a multi-millionaire sports figure, singer, or actor then yes, I would give it back, but I’m not a multi-millionaire. I’m a low level government employee that makes a lot less than most people. I'm the employee that wakes up every morning at 5:00 am, travels 45 miles to work on a busy highway with 50, 200 crazy drivers trying to get to their job; I sit at a desk for eight hours while doctor's complain or patients yell at me because their doctor called in sick and now their appointment is cancelled. I sit through boring meeting after meeting about how important the dress code is while little is mentioned about patient care. I scarf down an unhealthy lunch because out lunch times are being monitored and then at the end of the day, I drive the freeway back home, go to sleep and do it all over again the next day. When I think of that, I have to wonder and I ask myself; If I found $10,000.00 in two envelopes would I give it back?

I’d like to think that I would do “the right thing” but even as I type this I have my doubts that I would do the right thing and give it back. I’ve never been in that situation where I’m faced with keeping that much money. I would think about the person who lost it, but I’m sure it would be a fleeting thought. That much money could buy a lot of stuff, stuff that I need and stuff that I don’t need, but really want. The first thing I would do with that money is buy tickets for my nephew and myself to go see the Cirque Du Soleil show Love. It would be the ultimate birthday gift for both him and myself and since my birthday is Jan 8th and his is Jan 12th it would work out great. The fact that we’re both huge Beatles fan adds to the greatness of this gift.

The only thing is that I’m sure as I sat there watching the Cirque acrobats perform to the Beatles music I would wonder what sort of pay-back does the universe have in store for me now?

I'm pretty sure what I would do if I found $10,000.00
... what would you do?