One Life To Live

When you have nothing to lose other than your time and energy, why not try to achieve what may seem impossible or improbable?

What may seem like a sad or bad situation may very well be an opportunity.

These words are in reflection of my past, having realized how a 'sad' or 'bad' situation was actually purposed and necessary considering a wider landscape when looking back on life.

The paradoxical dilemma is thinking if whether or not any good (or learning opportunity) would have been derived if I had not made mistakes.

Well, if a mistake was not first done then there was no need for a lesson.

Conversely, mistakes are usually not viewed as opportunities when they occur, yet often time the learning and correcting of mistakes do allow for growth and triumph after humiliating defeat.

It is when a mistake is not corrected that a lesson is unlearned that is cause for further trouble.

These words can speak to many aspects of life, but are expressed in the vein of financial navigation in this article and speaks to the fear of either starting a business or pursuing a similar endeavor.

For those who have no choice but to continue doing whatever they currently do for an income (a job), it is not easy to quit and focus on something of their own (a business or a dream / goal).

I shared recently with a friend the choice can sometimes be easy when there is nothing else to lose.

And sometimes life brings us to such a point that accommodates our fear and allows us to pursue what would eventually bring us joy and participate in living life.

This was such a choice that was somewhat made for me when I was fired from the last job I held and had to move back home with my grandparents.

I was fortunate I had loving relatives that took me in... yet at the time I didn't see it that way.

What initially made me feel like a loser and a failure was actually the best thing that happened to me (at that time).

Ex Malo Bonum (out of bad comes good / good can from evil).

A portion of that Latin phrase was likely first expressed (historically first penned) by Seneca (the Younger - d. 65 A.D.). [section 22]

The complete phrase is 'good does not result from evil' (bonum ex malo non fit).

Centuries later Augustine (of Hippo - d. 430) contradicts the sentiment through religious argument. [eighth sentence]

I think both opinions and arguments are correct when understood in their proper context.

I think Seneca was arguing that an individual seeking good while continuing to commit evil does not achieve that 'good'... but instead is diluted, and is eventually punished (in this world and/or the next).

Similar to the logic of justification and what this phrase expresses: 'the ends justify the means'... which some people would strongly oppose (from the perspective of those effecting the means).

In other words; if a thief believes their evil activity has become a blessing for themselves (because they increased in wealth and thus live a financially secure life), they are mistaken and blind when all things are considered (I think this is Seneca's point).

In contrast, Augustine was pointing out how despite the evil efforts of certain people, 'good' is somehow realized by other people besides the evil doer.

Taking the example of a thief, we can theorize the thief has plagued themselves despite their justifications, yet because of their wealth being redistributed around their local economy, others have benefitted despite his thievery.

This is a very carnal argument but I think serves the purpose of showcasing both sides of the phrase.

In my personal case, it was my mistakes that brought trouble (the consequence of being fired from a job for a grievous mistake and having to move back home).

Yet, that same trouble taught me many valuable lessons: grace, patience, humility, stick to convictions, stay obedient despite peer pressure - and many other lessons).

However, that time of trouble and struggle eventually led to me trying (and failing) to start my own business(es) (and eventually succeeding).

I did not 'think' that by doing wrong that 'good' would somehow come about, yet when troubling times did come by my own doing (Seneca's point), it was a time to start over and do something else...which was an opportunity despite the trouble (Augustine's point).

This isn't an argument to go ahead and make mistakes, but to be open to the lessons (after repentance) and to not fear the challenges of pursuing what one would desire to do in this short life.

The worse thing that could happen to an individual who pursues their dreams (so long as those dreams are not along the lines of Seneca's warning) is failure.

I am very sure individuals who have pursued to start their own businesses have many stories of failure, set-back, embarrassment and defeat.

Yet those who did not give up are the ones telling of the failures that led to triumphs.

Those who quit after the first mistake can not recall any mention of success along the journey because they did not continue.

Taking the warning of Seneca; be sure to do what is right and not be diluted into justifying your activities even if wealth is wrought by such activities, you may become that evil Augustine mentions.

Taking Augustine's teaching; be sure to recognize if you are being blessed from the malignancy of others (and be grateful), and not being that malignancy that Seneca warns.