"あなたは自分がすることすべてとしないことすべての代償を払うことになる。"

Every choice you make in life comes with its own set of consequences. Sometimes, it's easy to forget this, but it's true whether you're trying to decide what to have for lunch or whether to take that big job offer in another city. Whatever you decide—or don't decide—there's a price attached.

Think about it like this: every action (or inaction) has an outcome. It’s a principle that’s as old as time. Remember back in the 1960s, when the counterculture was all about "free love" and rebelling against societal norms? They were making choices that went against the grain, and while it brought about a lot of positive social change, there were also consequences—like clashes with authority and the mainstream society, and personal costs for many involved.

Let’s take a real-world example. Imagine you’re at work. You’ve got a deadline coming up and you’ve been putting off that big report because it's just so daunting. Every day you don’t sit down to tackle it, you’re paying a price in terms of stress and the looming pressure. Finally, you decide to spend your weekend working on it. You sacrifice your relaxation time, but you get the report done. There’s the price you pay for doing the work. On the flip side, if you had put it off until the last minute and rushed it, you might have faced the price of a poor-quality submission and possibly, a reprimand from your boss. Either way, you’re paying a price.

So, how do you apply this wisdom in your own life? Start small. Think about those little decisions you make every day—like whether to hit the gym or binge-watch Netflix. Consider the immediate price (a bit of soreness vs. a couple of hours of entertainment) and the long-term price (better health vs. potential weight gain or health issues). When faced with a bigger decision, like changing careers or moving to a new city, try to weigh out the costs in the same way. What will you gain? What might you lose?

Here’s a relatable story to bring it home. Imagine you’re considering going back to school. It’s a big decision. There’s the cost of tuition, the time you'll have to invest, and the possibility of missing out on social events. You might feel overwhelmed. But think about the flip side. If you don’t go back to school, you might miss out on that dream job that requires an advanced degree. Or the personal growth from learning something new.

Think about a friend of mine, Sarah. She was comfortable in her career but always felt a bit unfulfilled. She debated for years whether to go back to school. Finally, she took the plunge. Sure, there were late nights, student loans, and missing out on friends' get-togethers. But the payoff? She landed a job she loves, met incredible people, and feels a sense of accomplishment she never had before. She paid the price, but she’s reaping the rewards.

In life, there’s no escape from these trade-offs. Recognize them, embrace them, and make your choices consciously. Whether it’s the little decisions or the big ones, there’s always a price—so choose wisely.