This weekend in the USA there was a 640 Million dollar lottery. Who knows how many millions of tickets were sold, but the statistics are amazing, and I am sure there were a lot of Canadians who travelled down to buy a ticket. The odds of winning a ticket are preposterously miniscule but so many are willing to pay to grasp at that straw. Now I buy lottery tickets too but I am reminded again today that money is not the key to happiness. 

Not a typo! Money is not the key to happiness, and neither is fame, or even success. Today is April 1st and I read today about famous events that occurred on this day. On this day, one day before his 45th birthday – Marvin Gaye died. 

Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell in a promotional 1967 photo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The life of Marvin Gaye I knew nothing about until today, but the story may interest you  also. He was in the music and entertainment business 25 years, he made music with biggest names in the music industry, he has been named by Rolling Stones as one of the top ten talents ever! This is a man who was wealthy in all the ways that we might consider successful. He was wealthy from many millions of records sold, he was famous, he was successful in his chosen field with acclaim from his music contemporaries. 

When he died, he was hiding out and living with his parents because of the problems in his life including depression and he didn’t die from a drug overdose as maybe you would suspect.  This is the shocking part that made me write. He was killed by his own father, Marvin Gaye Sr, with three shots to the chest from a gun that Marvin had given his father. 

Now undoubtedly, some of you will investigate and read more about this tragic story but for me the message was that fame and fortune do not guarantee happiness.  A little fame and a little fortune wouldn’t hurt but I don’t envy the Brad Pitts, or other celebrities. 

I counted my fortune this week and it wasn’t in blue chip stock or 6 digit savings accounts. It was all the love and friendship I have been blessed with in my life. I am a grateful and blessed person for certain.  You count your blessings and you may find yourself rich as well; always a healthy exercise. Take care.