Life is a Gamble

Life is a perpetual gamble.
Every day, consciously or not, you have to commit. Some decisions are small and inconsequential, but some are significant and could be life-altering. They have to be weighed carefully before being carried out.

It all depends on the kind of person you are. Some people are conservative and will always opt for safer options. Others are a little more audacious and will take a chance on a better (and riskier) outcome. I would place myself in this group.

For any time you gamble, there is a risk… but also a dangling carrot. The question always is “is it worth the gamble, and can I sustain this kind of loss?” This decision is always more difficult when it involves others.

At present, some Republican officials face a huge dilemma. Shall they stick with a weakened president and go down with the ship, or shall they break ranks and side with the opposition? If the President is re-elected, their career is over; they will be shunned and banned like plague-ridden devils.

If on the other hand, his opponent wins, they can be lauded as heroes and mightily prosper. But this question is a little trivial for most politicians are totally gutless and deadly afraid to be excluded from the King’s court… and his generosity.

Being a gambler can be hazardous. There is a Swedish proverb that clearly illustrates that situation:

“Luck never gives; it only lends.” 

 If you gamble, you will sometimes win… but it is only a loan. A little later you will most certainly have to repay that loan… with interests. It is a little bit like getting a free line of coke… later you will come back for more and you will have to pay for it.

But still, I always thought that it is better to attack than defend. Yesterday, for instance, we were playing pétanque and the score was 10-10. Either side could win. My team had one secure point on the ground and the opposition was all spent. I had 2 boules in my hands. I could play it safe and point… or shoot one of their boules and score 3 points for a victory… or miss and give them a chance to come back and win.

I shot and succeeded. What a high! Luckily none of my teammates objected to my decision. But again, it would be wise to remember that

 “Luck sometimes visits a fool, but it never sits down with him.” German Proverb

 It (sometimes) pays to be daring, but before taking a swan dive, carefully weigh the options.

Alain