In the end analysis, life is all about CONSEQUENCES … things that actually happen as a result of other things that did or did not happen. Some consequences are predictable.
Do good things / useful things and good things result. Do stupid things or blatantly “bad” or wrong things and results can be devastating. While nothing is 100% predictable, and Fate often takes a while to catch up with us, dues eventually have to be paid and rewards are garnered according to the composite efforts made.
Our biggest challenge – greatest liability – is NOT seeing far enough ahead to get a true “Fix” on potential / probable consequences of a given action or inaction … often, in any case, going ahead with the presumptive indemnification of the moment:
“You never know when you’re going to get run over by a bulldozer!”
However, ignoring long-range consequences – and/or fabricating trumped-up faux consequences in order to justify short-term indulgences – gets one about as far ahead as the nose on one’s face!
“If …, Then … “ conjecturing is a key tool to help sort the odds on potential consequences:
“IF I text and drive /\ drink and drive /\ do drugs and drive, etc., THEN I risk causing an accident, killing someone or going to jail … or all three.” :: “IF I light a candle, and IF the candle drops onto the carpet or the couch, THEN the house may catch on fire, THEN we may have no house or home, THEN we will have to live on the street.” [Credit to Sesame Street]
But some risks are worth taking! In selected circumstances, ignoring or defying potential consequences can provide a mark of distinction between “making it big”, “just making it” … and not “making it” at all.
There are “Calculated Risks”, where one counts the cost and accepts the odds of success or failure, and there are life-and-death, “Damn the torpedoes” risks that must be taken no matter what. The U.S. would not exist in its current form without the ultimate sacrifices made by so many not counting the cost – as well as by many counting the cost and taking up the challenge anyway!
“Give me liberty or give me death!”
Patrick Henry
Signers of the Declaration of Independence risked their lives and fortunes – and their families’ lives – to chart a new VISION for their future free of monarch governance.
Martin Luther risked his life and profession decrying a corrupt church establishment:
“Here I stand. I cannot do otherwise. God help me.”
Thus, we come to understand that having a DREAM or VISION large enough that it supersedes life or death consideration allows us to transcend mere existence.
“Failure is not an option”
Bill Broyles (Screenwriter for Apollo 13 movie)
“Failure is Impossible”
Susan B. Anthony
… spearheading the Women’s Suffrage Movement
The flip-side of all of this is that considering all possible CONSEQUENCES may lead to a state of paralysis – “damned if you do and damned if you don’t”.
Turning the kaleidoscope, “Buying Time”, and strategically engaging significant others will often help make a path forward. [See also “Held Hostage” ]
The Good News is that the “Game of Life” keeps churning [READ Churning Blog]
“It ain’t over till the fat lady sings!”
“Everything will be all right in the end.
If it’s not all right, then it’s not yet the end.”
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel Motto
Bottom Line: Keep piling up bricks on the road to POSITIVE CONSEQUENCES as far into the FUTURE as possible. Quartermaster
