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TRADE-OFFS
Is There A "Price" To Be Paid For Talent Or Success?
Ray Grasse
Nov 29
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[This essay originally appeared in my book When the Stars Align.]
It’s not something anyone can prove, of course, but I’ve come to believe that for every major “gift” the universe gives you in life, there is a trade-off of sorts, a karmic balancing act that has to take place. Moreover, the greater the gift, the greater the trade-off or “price” to be paid.
Let me explain what I mean.
When you look at any individual who has risen to the heights of success, creative brilliance, or even spiritual attainment, you usually (if not always) see some not-so-pleasant circumstance alongside those achievements or gifts which seems to counterbalance that success or achievement. That might take the form of a heavy burden that needs to be carried, such as a health problem or physical “flaw,” the heartbreaking loss of one or more loved ones early in life, heavy responsibilities, sexual frustrations, or an emotional or physical wound from childhood. I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve seen someone who appeared on the surface to have it all, only to learn later on about the heavy personal struggles or sacrifices they endured in private, sometimes even publicly.
This all came to mind for me several years ago while eating at a restaurant when I overheard a young woman in the next booth talking to her friend about the country singer Shania Twain. The woman said, “She has it all: beauty, talent, money... It really seems like some people get all the breaks.”
It just so happened that earlier that same day I’d seen an interview with Shania on morning TV where it was mentioned how both of her parents died in a car crash when she was young, forcing her to grow up exceptionally fast and raise her siblings in the process.
I didn’t interject myself into that conversation at the restaurant, of course, but I was tempted to lean over and ask that young woman, “Would you trade places with Shania Twain if it meant losing both your parents at that same young age?”
That got me thinking in turn about my own fantasies as a kid growing up, when I was swept up in my admiration of the Beatles and other creative figures, and thinking about how “lucky” Lennon and McCartney were to have experienced so much success, talent, and worldly good fortune. Yet the fact is, both of them lost their mothers at a young age. Would I have traded places with either of them if it meant also accepting that more unpleasant side of the bargain? Considering how much I loved (and still love) my late mother, I’d personally have to say no.
Or consider the lives of individuals like Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, and Francis Coppola—three of the most brilliant creative figures of popular culture from the last half-century—all of whom contracted polio as children and underwent severe physical hardships and isolation as a result. Or take the case of actor Christopher Reeve, who found early success playing Superman in films, but then was paralyzed from the neck down as a result of a horse-riding accident. And then there is Beethoven, one of history’s greatest composers, who went completely deaf and experienced a deeply frustrating love life. I also think of the spiritual teachers I’ve encountered or studied with, who inspired me in terms of their discipline and wisdom, but who endured extreme hardships of their own.
The list goes on.
I’m not suggesting there is necessarily a metaphysical or moral principle involved in all of this—although there may well be. For example, many astrologers believe that worldly success or achievement is often indicated in the horoscope by “hard” aspects (90-degree relationships particularly, but sometimes 180-degree or even zero-degree relationships). These are what astrologers regard as high-energy, “manifestational” configurations. By comparison, a chart with nothing but so-called “easy” aspects, like trines or sextiles, usually show a relatively comfortable life but not one particularly driven toward worldly achievement or activity; these individuals may well dream of such things, but they’re not likely to have the energy or motivation to work for them. The trade-off with hard aspects, however, is they usually come with hard life-experiences. The upshot here is that “successful” lives are often associated with some of the most difficult horoscopes—and in turn, the most difficult lives.
Astrology and metaphysics aside, even from a purely psychological standpoint it’s not extreme to assume high achievers are generally those fueled by emotional difficulties or insecurities in life, and that the greater the achievement and success, the greater the psychological need for achievement and success.
Either way, whether it ‘s something metaphysical or strictly psychological, it’s a phenomenon I’ve come across so many times I’m compelled to wonder if there isn’t a very real principle or “law” at work. There genuinely does seem to be a curious ecology of counterbalances at work in our lives, however we choose to explain it.
So if you should happen to depart this world and find yourself up on the astral awaiting your next incarnation, with a burning desire to come in and make your own “big mark” on the world, ala’ Oprah Winfrey, Steve Jobs, or Genghis Khan, just remember: a hefty trade-off will probably be involved!
Ray Grasse is a writer, astrologer, and photographer living in the American Midwest. He is author of ten books, most recently In in the Company of Gods and So, What Am I Doing Here, Anyway? His websites are www.raygrasse.com and www.raygrassephotography.com.
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Upgrade to paid
TRADE-OFFS
Is There A "Price" To Be Paid For Talent Or Success?
Ray Grasse
Nov 29
READ IN APP
[This essay originally appeared in my book When the Stars Align.]
It’s not something anyone can prove, of course, but I’ve come to believe that for every major “gift” the universe gives you in life, there is a trade-off of sorts, a karmic balancing act that has to take place. Moreover, the greater the gift, the greater the trade-off or “price” to be paid.
Let me explain what I mean.
When you look at any individual who has risen to the heights of success, creative brilliance, or even spiritual attainment, you usually (if not always) see some not-so-pleasant circumstance alongside those achievements or gifts which seems to counterbalance that success or achievement. That might take the form of a heavy burden that needs to be carried, such as a health problem or physical “flaw,” the heartbreaking loss of one or more loved ones early in life, heavy responsibilities, sexual frustrations, or an emotional or physical wound from childhood. I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve seen someone who appeared on the surface to have it all, only to learn later on about the heavy personal struggles or sacrifices they endured in private, sometimes even publicly.
This all came to mind for me several years ago while eating at a restaurant when I overheard a young woman in the next booth talking to her friend about the country singer Shania Twain. The woman said, “She has it all: beauty, talent, money... It really seems like some people get all the breaks.”
It just so happened that earlier that same day I’d seen an interview with Shania on morning TV where it was mentioned how both of her parents died in a car crash when she was young, forcing her to grow up exceptionally fast and raise her siblings in the process.
I didn’t interject myself into that conversation at the restaurant, of course, but I was tempted to lean over and ask that young woman, “Would you trade places with Shania Twain if it meant losing both your parents at that same young age?”
That got me thinking in turn about my own fantasies as a kid growing up, when I was swept up in my admiration of the Beatles and other creative figures, and thinking about how “lucky” Lennon and McCartney were to have experienced so much success, talent, and worldly good fortune. Yet the fact is, both of them lost their mothers at a young age. Would I have traded places with either of them if it meant also accepting that more unpleasant side of the bargain? Considering how much I loved (and still love) my late mother, I’d personally have to say no.
Or consider the lives of individuals like Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, and Francis Coppola—three of the most brilliant creative figures of popular culture from the last half-century—all of whom contracted polio as children and underwent severe physical hardships and isolation as a result. Or take the case of actor Christopher Reeve, who found early success playing Superman in films, but then was paralyzed from the neck down as a result of a horse-riding accident. And then there is Beethoven, one of history’s greatest composers, who went completely deaf and experienced a deeply frustrating love life. I also think of the spiritual teachers I’ve encountered or studied with, who inspired me in terms of their discipline and wisdom, but who endured extreme hardships of their own.
The list goes on.
I’m not suggesting there is necessarily a metaphysical or moral principle involved in all of this—although there may well be. For example, many astrologers believe that worldly success or achievement is often indicated in the horoscope by “hard” aspects (90-degree relationships particularly, but sometimes 180-degree or even zero-degree relationships). These are what astrologers regard as high-energy, “manifestational” configurations. By comparison, a chart with nothing but so-called “easy” aspects, like trines or sextiles, usually show a relatively comfortable life but not one particularly driven toward worldly achievement or activity; these individuals may well dream of such things, but they’re not likely to have the energy or motivation to work for them. The trade-off with hard aspects, however, is they usually come with hard life-experiences. The upshot here is that “successful” lives are often associated with some of the most difficult horoscopes—and in turn, the most difficult lives.
Astrology and metaphysics aside, even from a purely psychological standpoint it’s not extreme to assume high achievers are generally those fueled by emotional difficulties or insecurities in life, and that the greater the achievement and success, the greater the psychological need for achievement and success.
Either way, whether it ‘s something metaphysical or strictly psychological, it’s a phenomenon I’ve come across so many times I’m compelled to wonder if there isn’t a very real principle or “law” at work. There genuinely does seem to be a curious ecology of counterbalances at work in our lives, however we choose to explain it.
So if you should happen to depart this world and find yourself up on the astral awaiting your next incarnation, with a burning desire to come in and make your own “big mark” on the world, ala’ Oprah Winfrey, Steve Jobs, or Genghis Khan, just remember: a hefty trade-off will probably be involved!
Ray Grasse is a writer, astrologer, and photographer living in the American Midwest. He is author of ten books, most recently In in the Company of Gods and So, What Am I Doing Here, Anyway? His websites are www.raygrasse.com and www.raygrassephotography.com.
You're currently a free subscriber to Ray’s Substack. For the full experience, upgrade your subscription.
Upgrade to paid