Share the Wealth of Rich Ideas   


A great gift to pass along when talking is a good idea that improves 
health, well-being, business, personal finances, or life-style. 
When I relocated two years ago, I appreciated learning of an excellent 
dentist from a fellow I was chatting with in the locker room of my YMCA. 
Another acquaintance told me about an upscale consignment furniture store 
where I could get beautiful pieces at excellent prices. Talking with another 
friend, I learned of a gifted website designer I later hired. 

When an idea is exciting and simple, it is easily shared and travels fast 
from one person to another. (One supposes that may be why some people 
are hesistant to share good ideas, fearing there may not be enough to go 
around.) 

Memes are cultural packets of information 

Some of these ideas become “memes,” which are to our shared culture 
what genes are to our biology. They make a difference in how we think 
and act. 

I luckily discovered such a simple and powerful idea that I've shared 
with friends and I now share with you. “Unclaimed money.” 

As it happens, approximately 1 of 20 persons has unclaimed money or 
property in a state vault. States are required to hold these assets when they 
are reported by various companies, law offices, and tax agencies. Finding 
and reclaiming these assets is easy and costs nothing. 

Interested, I went to an unclaimed funds website and began a search. 
In less than 30 minutes, I had discovered money for a nephew in Texas, 
A distant relative in California, and old family friends in Wisconsin. 
(Alas, so far I have not uncovered any funds for myself.) 

Ideas are like currency 

Good ideas are like currency, and they can travel fast. Shortly after I 
mentioned this idea to acquaintances, they began telling their own friends. 
Now we had the makings of a “meme.” Richard Brodie, author of Virus 
of the Mind, defines a meme as “a unit of information in a mind whose 
existence influences events such that more copies of itself get created in 
other minds.” 

Another potent example of a meme is the “broken window” 
image as it related to run-down New York City neighborhoods. 
The idea spread that if a broken window remained broken, the 
surrounding area would continue to deteriorate. However, when 
windows were repaired quickly, and when grafitti was removed 
immediately, neighborhoods renewed themselves. Such actions 
were “tipping points,” seemingly small things that make a big difference. 

Good ideas are plentiful 

Good ideas are plentiful and make good conversation starters. 
When asked “What's new?” a refreshing response could be 
“I just saw a great movie, “Respiro,” playing this week at the Suncoast.” 
Even more exciting, “Yesterday I found $1,500 of a cousin's money 
that he didn't know about.” Now that's a lot more interesting than talking 
about the weather! 

“Share the wealth, yes.” But don't push ideas on others. Instead, 
reach out, then step back. If others are interested, they'll ask for further 
information. If not, let it go. Some people are limited by the stigma of 
appearing ignorant, and, not wanting to look as if they didn't know, 
they will be indifferent or resistant, even to valuable new ideas. 

(You can easily check if you have unclaimed assets by searching the 
internet for the term “unclaimed funds.” Or go to www.naupa.org .)