Many shrink in fear at this over-used expression. For many, going through life with a “lottery ticket” philosophy is all they can muster, all that they feel they need. To those I exclaim Hallelujah! What a gift—what an unexpected joy! Those fortunate to really “get” this concept, able to peel back the torn dirty wrappings will be rewarded with renewed strength and hope. An equally valid recasting of this lesson, which may make this diamond more accessible to some, is “everything has value”. You, me, disposable napkins, incumbent four-term senators, everything! If there were truly free lunches out there, then there would have to be other things devoid of value. Thank God everything has value! If you prefer, “everything is connected”.
A logical extension of this truth is that nothing of value comes without some effort or sacrifice. There are no infinite alpha investments, nor do any others of worth that have zero beta. There are a myriad of ways to communicate this. Further, this truth pops up in investing, nutrition, social policy, virtually everywhere. This should not be too startling as everything is connected anyway…separation, categorization, duality is only an illusion. Most of us instinctively delete the daily email offerings of millions of dollars from some country we have never heard of, yet how difficult it is to not be lured into other similar traps. There are no free lunches!
If someone is claiming to offer something of value without asking, at least implicitly, for some concession, trade-off, effort, this person is offering nothing. Examples are all around us—political movements, weight loss programs, sage self-help advice, and business opportunities. Three minutes a day will never transform anyone into an Olympic athlete. If nothing is “given” to the proposal, nothing can possibly flow from this illusion. Another way to capture this is “nothing ventured, nothing gained”. The world is not without texture and variety, however. Some proposals ask for little but promise much and others just the opposite. Some places get lots of sun, others very little. But the sun does come out in Seattle, and it does rain hard in Southern California (I can attest to both)!
There is never any yin without at least a seed of yang…look closely; life comes from death just as death comes from life. Social Security solvency will never occur spontaneously, nor will it occur painlessly. There are no magic pills. Alcoholism will not resolve itself. Global terrorism cannot be combated without something from each of us being offered to the process. How great a joy that we have influence, free will, people who love us, skills, and resources! There is no need to be a victim, but, by the same token, there is no reason to expect fat-free foods or “radio-safe” lyrics to solve our problems.
We must be responsible to enjoy rewards. Parents instinctively meter these two out as they raise their children…is there any reason to think it ends when we turn eighteen? Push-ups and broccoli have utility. And, if we are truly honest with ourselves, and the vegetables, and the exercise, all these things have the potential to be beautiful, enjoyable, and something we look forward to bringing into our lives. This is when we know that we are truly living, truly giving, and receiving.
