What If

[kyra_ojosverdes]

What if... you were on Jeopardy, or another game show based on skill (as opposed to pure luck)? What if, after struggling for a really long time, you started doing really well, and amassed more winnings that you ever expected you might? What if you then had a chance to win an amount of money that would enable you to pursue your ultimate dream... but in order do give it a shot, you had to risk losing all the money you'd just won? What if you really needed the money you'd already won... you could survive without it, of course, but it wasn't something you could just shrug off?

What would you do?

(As usual, if you know what the hell I'm talking about, be vague or comment on the filtered entry!)

Comments

I don't know what you are talking about

[luminousx.livejournal.com]

I believe it would be selfish to attempt to win the money that would allow me to pursue my ultimate dream when the money I had already won was needed elsewhere.

I also would believe that by taking care of the other needs, I would be more able to pursue my ultimate dream on firmer ground.

Though, if you feel confident in your skill, then it is always good to bet for yourself. Just don't beat yourself up if it doesn't pan out. Be prepared to have no regrets.

Sigh {{ Hugs }}

[shmuelisms.livejournal.com]

I really hope you can resolve this to the best, and I'm here to hear you, as you know. I think your analogy is rather flawed dear. For one, because life isn't like that. It's never so clear cut: Win /Lose, especially not with regard to complicated people. Secondly, I don't think you have really "already won a lot", it may appear that way to you, but I feel it's more like someone dangling a bundle of cash in front of you, and you perceiving this as "already yours". The "bait" you were offered, was in my mind, a really lousy move for all involved, and not well thought out. So forget it. You know what must happen first, before you can bite that bait, and if you attain the status where that bait would be acceptable, then it would be a null issue anyway. Let us hope that you can turn that around, and make it a pivot for mutual growth, without hurting the other parties involved.

Also, when phrased that way ("you could survive without it, of course"), you must seriously ask yourself, how true is this? Are you REALLY ready to blow everything at once (for whatever value of "everything" you really have)? In this case I think, a much more delicate and patient approach would be best. You yourself said, the playing field is likely to clear itself on it's own shortly. No? Please be careful in this.

In the case of a real game-show situation, I would easily risk it all, it's not like I had anything invested. You can't lose what wasn't your to begin with, so the risk is part of the game. Worst case scenario, is you leave the game as you came. But this "game" of yours is hardly like that. You have a LOT of your self, already invested. I would be much more prudent, in playing around with that.

Was that vague enough for you <Big Evil Grin>

Re: Sigh {{ Hugs }}

[kyra-ojosverdes.livejournal.com]

"Was that vague enough for you?"

No. But I'll leave it for the meantime. :-) Thanks for the input.

And yes, the analogy is flawed... this "game" isn't based on skill, but neither is it based on luck. (In a game show based on skill, you have some means of guessing your chances of hitting the jackpot, where if it's luck, who the hell knows.

And would I survive? I always survive, Shmuel dear. Always. Would I like it? No. Would I get through it? Yes. I always do.

[weedblossom.livejournal.com]

Okay, personally - I don't think I have a clue as to what you're talking about. So my advice, in the game show sense, would be take the already-won money and run with it. Life is too insecure to hedge bets on something that might not, or probably will not, happen. Especially when it comes to money!!

I have to agree with Kahnman

[redrita.livejournal.com]

Your analogy is definitely flawed. I don't think that you can compare money to the game that you're playing. You can live without money, but although you could technically survive without what you're risking, would it be worth it?
I think you also know the answer to your question, because you have so many doubts as to whether you should play or not.
If you are going to win this game, it cannot be by hoping *something* happens in a sneaky way. It needs to be out in the open, and acknowledged by all that you are the "winner". Otherwise, there's no point in it, and you're going to make yourself miserable.

Re: I have to agree with Kahnman

[kyra-ojosverdes.livejournal.com]

Oh no, this "risking it" isn't about being sneaky or leaving things to chance and vague hopes. It's about doing the opposite.

Sneaky sucks.

[(Anonymous)]

What a toughie.

It really all comes down to what YOU want, and whether you can handle the what-ifs. If I were in that situation, I'd always wonder, what if I'd gone for it all, and made it? But I'd probably play it safe and stick with the winnings I already have.

Good luck and hugs.

- SmoonN

Just be careful

[(Anonymous)]

You've come really far in the short time I've been in contact with you, and I think it would be wonderful if the future delivered on the promise it holds for you. Don't throw it away.

Re: Just be careful

[kyra-ojosverdes.livejournal.com]

Good advice... do you have a name? :-)

Re: Just be careful

[(Anonymous)]

d'oh, i forgot

-- drmagoo

Since you asked

[gunhed.livejournal.com]

It's always easier to look at what you want but don't have and think, "My life would be so much better if I had that." It's always easier to look back with regret at what you didn't go for. It's much more difficult to wait to be sure is worth the price that you (or someone else) may have to pay. Sometimes, though, it's better to wait.

redrita is right - you already know the answer. Don't talk yourself into something you think you'll regret.

[jadasc.livejournal.com]

Enh. When I was on, I was a brave li'l speed bump for a five-time champion. Didn't really get to address the issue. ;)

[kyra-ojosverdes.livejournal.com]

You were on Jeopardy??

*kneels at feet*

*admiring downward glance*

[jadasc.livejournal.com]

I was. You can read the story here:
http://www.livejournal.com/users/jadasc/31667.html

Re: *admiring downward glance*

[kyra-ojosverdes.livejournal.com]

Dude, are you looking down my shirt??? ;-)

Wow, excellent story. I agree with the rest of your journal audience in saying that you did something pretty damned amazing by getting on the show, and that if things had been ever so slightly different, you'd probably have won.

Makes me wish I had TV, so I could scan the ol' memory banks and say "Oh yeah, THAT guy! With the long hair!"