Random Thoughts ＃4 — The Alchemist Rule
‘Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is alchemy’s first law of Equivalent Exchange.’
Is there a better way to start 2020 with getting chickenpox?
I am sure there are and the answer depends on who you are. While most people would agree getting such an irritable and ugly illness is annoying and upsetting at the least, to me, getting all those blisters on my face (and body) is a timely reminder of the Equivalent Exchange rule — nothing in this world is for free.
Since the beginning of November, till the date of the diagnosis, in 65 days, I travelled 10 cities in 3 countries during 43 out of those 65 days. I had over 50 business meetings and 4 properties tours, went through the biggest internal business restructuring in my career, and I got married and joined the funeral of my wife’s grandpa.
This is not to show how busy I was, but rather, to show that getting sick as the result is only logical. Chickenpox is the price that I have to pay in exchange for doing so many things in such a short period of time. That is natural.
Did I know that I was getting sick during these crazy two months? Yes. I knew that my stress level was through the roof and my sleep was messed up. Did I do anything to fix the problem? Sort of. I increased my supplement doses and meditation time; I also increased my coffee intake to compensate for my lack of energy (which should be another sign for me). But I did not stop to rest. I kept going and thinking that I could do this. I wonder why.
Animals know about it. They rest after a hunt and rarely exhaust over what they can afford. They know not to be stressed about dinner in a month. They know how to quiet down and enjoy the life in the moment. And we think we are smarter.
I think the answer should be greed and hubris. I was greedy and wanting to achieve so much, even at the expense of my health. It was my hubris that led me to believe that I could do this without paying the appropriate price. How stupid and naïve I have been!
Let this first entry in 2020 be a constant reminder about the Alchemist Rule that everything comes at a price. Let it be a constant reminder that one should always be modest.
P.S. this was written in Jan 2020 and 2020 has been such a crazy year. More Random Thoughts will follow — to be continued.
