“Everything you want in life has a price connected to it. There’s a price to pay if you want to make things better, a price to pay just for leaving things as they are, a price for everything.” –Harry Browne
Think about your life. What price have you paid to get it?
When I was a child (around 10 or 11) I decided that I wanted to learn how to play the guitar. I expressed this desire to my parents. After they had some time to think about it, they sat me down for a talk. My parents told me they were willing to buy me a guitar (and send me to guitar lessons) on the condition that I practice every day. The choice was mine. I thought about it and decided I didn’t want to pay the price.
“Every luxury must be paid for, and everything is a luxury, starting with being in the world.” –Cesare Pavese
Let’s pretend for just a moment that I had decided to put in the time and effort to learn how to play the guitar, and I got really, really good at it. I got so good at it that I ended up in a famous band touring around the world. I made tons of money, partied with other famous people, stayed in the finest hotels, didn’t have to clean up after myself, and didn’t have to cook a meal.
That may sound pretty great to you. At the time I made the decision not to learn to play the guitar the only “price” I saw was one of time/fun. If it turned out I didn’t like it (the guitar lessons), I would still have to keep it up for who knows how long. I knew my parents. This wasn’t like wanting a dog and promising you are going to feed it, take care of it, and clean up it’s poop — and then getting the dog and not doing it. This was serious. This would be enforced.
Think about it — Everything has it’s price. You pay for the choices you make in life. And you can pay for choices you don’t make (like natural disasters, accidents, getting robbed, etc.), and for what you choose not to do (for example, getting an education, unprotected sex, saving for a rainy day, learning a new thing, etc.). Some of the ways in which we pay are with our time, freedom, money, trust, peace of mind, health, relationships, privacy, sweat (hard work) and tears.
“No matter what we want of life we have to give up something in order to get it.” –Raymond Holliwell
Seriously think about it. Let’s look at actors/authors/performers. They had to deal with rejection numerous times. No one becomes an overnight success. (A good rags to riches story is that of author J. K. Rowling, of the “Harry Potter” series. You can read about some of her life/struggle here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._K._Rowling.) I’ve heard actors say they prepare themselves for a role by studying for the part. The other day my hubby told me of one great actor who said to prepare for a role he moves away from his family for 3 months. He does this so he can be alone to study for his upcoming role and to live “in character.” Now let’s add to the list. Think for a moment about the life of a singer/musician. It’s easy to see the rewards. What price do you think they pay?
Here are some things I can think of. Time. I know one thing involved is many, many hours of practice. If they go on tour, that’s large amounts of time away from the comfort of their home, their family and friends. Relationships are sacrificed. Maybe in part it’s due to the lack of time and nuturing a relationship needs. For some, the price of fame also includes the loss of their privacy. Who wants to have to wear a disguise just to go to the store? Photographers are constantly following celebrities and taking photos of them at times when they don’t necessarily want to be photographed. And then there are the constant rumors that go around about their lives. Plus, moments that I think any of us would want kept quiet are broadcasted and written about for the whole world to know. Haven’t we heard enough stories and seen enough photos of Jennifer Anniston, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie? We keep hearing in the news about all these men cheating on their wives. Do we really need to know who’s zooming who? Is it any of our business?
Not long ago I saw this woman on tv who was living a very extravagant lifestyle — courtesy of her hubby. She said when she realized her hubby was cheating, she decided to turn a blind eye to it because of the lifestyle they lived. She loved the lifestyle (and the shopping) and didn’t want to give it up.
“You must pay the price if you wish to secure the blessing.” –Andrew Jackson
Everything has a price to pay. Are you willing to pay it?
“A price has to be paid for success. Almost invariably those who have reached the summits worked harder and longer, studied and planned more assiduously, practiced more self-denial, overcame more difficulties than those of us who have not risen so far.” –B. C. Forbes
Paul Weller – Everything has a price to pay
Other quotes on paying a price:
“When you want something, you have to be willing to pay your dues.” –Les Brown
“If you are determined enough and willing to pay the price, you can get it done.” –Mike Ditka
“There is no victory at bargain basement prices.” –Dwight D. Eisenhower
“Nature cannot be tricked or cheated. She will give up to you the object of your struggles only after you have paid her price.” –Napoleon Hill
“Once you agree upon the price you and your family must pay for success, it enables you to ignore the minor hurts, the opponent’s pressure, and the temporary failures.” –Vince Lombardi
“Dictionary is the only place that success comes before work. Hard work is the price we must pay for success. I think you can accomplish anything if you’re willing to pay the price.” –Vince Lombardi
“Albert Einstein when asked what he considered to be the most powerful force in the universe answered: Compound interest! What you have become is the price you paid to get what you used to want.” –Mignon McLaughlin
“Take what you want, God said to man, and pay for it.” –Spanish Proverb
“Before the reward there must be labor. You plant before you harvest. You sow in tears before you reap joy.” –Ralph Ransom
“For every promise, there is price to pay.” –Jim Rohn
“How do you go from where you are to where you want to be? I think you have to have an enthusiasm for life. You have to have a dream, a goal, and you have to be willing to work for it.” –Jim Valvano
Great article!
I agree that everything we do has a price. When I was younger I learned to play drums, fortunately I was passionate about it that my parents didn’t have to have the talk with me (I was an extreme case though, your parents did a smart thing…) but as I got older I recognize the price that goes with playing drums – practice, practice, practice.
And when the time came to perform although it was fun playing, I had to break down which was the hardest part of my job. No I’m not fortunate to have a drum tech do that for me yet… (smile) But it’s a constant reminder that everything whether we’re conscious about it or not does indeed have a price to go with it.
This is great food for thought, thanks for sharing!!
J: Thank you….And thanks for taking the time to share a bit of your story with us. I want this article to get people thinking. Good or bad, there is a price to pay for our choices. I think most of us know when we are doing something wrong, or risky, but we just hope that everything turns out ok — in other words, that we don’t have to pay a price. Thanks for visiting the blog. Hope you will come back again. Take care, A.
gorgeous advices, i love this article!!
Impressive article really liked it……..