The Gold Brick Test: A Story of Integrity

Integrity is one of those values we all say we have—but you never really know until it’s tested.

Back in 2016, I got tested in the most unexpected way.

I was checking my mailbox one day, and the guy behind the counter told me there was a heavy package for me. It had extra insurance on it and required a sig

nature. That already felt odd—I wasn’t expecting anything valuable.

He handed me a box about the size of a cereal box, but it was shockingly heavy. I only lived a few blocks away, but I had to stop multiple times just to catch my breath while carrying it home.

The brick of gold!

Once I got it inside and opened it, I stared in disbelief. Inside was a solid brick of gold—over 96% pure. The insurance paperwork listed its value at more than $500,000.

I didn’t know what to do. It clearly wasn’t mine.

So I called the police.

They came over, inspected everything, and said that, legally, the package was mine. The label had my name and address. From a legal standpoint, I could keep it.

But it didn’t feel right. Something was off.

I called UPS to let them know what had happened. They were baffled but didn’t offer a real solution. So I spent that night holding onto a gold bar—feeling confused, anxious, and weirdly guilty. Was I being used as a mule? Was it a prank? Was it even legal?

Eventually, I got a message from a team lead at a company I used to work for, saying someone was trying to get in touch with me. Then my current manager said the same thing. Somehow, this person had found multiple people in my network instead of just reaching out to me directly—which, to this day, I still find bizarre.

Eventually, they did get in contact. We arranged a neutral location, and I handed back the gold. In return, they gave me a small gift card. UPS also sent me some chocolates and a thank-you note for cooperating—even though they knew, and I knew, I didn’t legally have to give it back.

I could have changed my life overnight. I was getting married soon. We were planning to move. I was also working on Haunted Castle Gaming behind the scenes. That money could’ve funded everything.

But I didn’t earn it. And I don’t want my success to come from someone else’s mistake.

At the end of the day, I want to build something that lasts—and do it the right way. I want the work I put in to be the reason I succeed. Not a lucky break. Not a legal loophole. Just... me, showing up every day, making the right call, even when no one’s watching.

I still think about that gold bar sometimes. Especially in this economy, when it would be so easy to cut corners or make compromises to get ahead.

But I made my choice. And I’d make it again.

What would you have done?

💡 Lesson Learned

Integrity is easy to claim, but hard to prove—especially when no one’s looking. That moment taught me that real success isn’t just about seizing opportunity; it’s about being the kind of person who’s worthy of opportunity. In the long run, doing the right thing builds something money never could: trust.