The Midas Touch

King Pyrrhus was a Greek King who ruled over the Kingdom of Epirus and he was famous for his military prowess.

He was often hired by other Greek city-states to fight their battles. In 279 BC, King Pyrrhus was asked by the city of Tarentum in southern Italy to help them in

their fight against the expanding Roman Empire.

King Pyrrhus and his army arrived in Italy and engaged the Romans in the Battle of Asculum.

Despite being greatly outnumbered, King Pyrrhus was able to defeat the Roman army in a hard-fought battle.

However, the victory came at a great cost.

Many of King Pyrrhus's soldiers were killed, and his army was so depleted that it was unable to effectively continue the fight against the Romans.

King Pyrrhus himself is reported to have said after the battle, "Another such victory and we are ruined."

This statement has become famous and is often quoted to illustrate the concept of a "pyrrhic victory".

The term "pyrrhic victory" has since become a part of the English language, used to describe a victory achieved at such a great cost that it is essentially a defeat.

One of the foundational lessons in the School of Life that the many never learn (or learn too late) is Risk Assessment.

We are often offered the opportunity to escape the underbelly of life and this is a beautiful thing, or at least, it can be.

With renewed zest and ambition, we start to want more and are often motivated into “You can achieve anything you set your mind to”.

True perhaps, but tragically incomplete.

Too few get to the point of learning (ahead of time) that not everything to be had, is worth having, and that sometimes, the prize is not worth the price.

Or in the words of King Pyrrhus, “Another such victory and we are ruined.”

Have you heard of ‘The Midas Touch’?

In the English language, it means the ability to succeed at anything.

But did you know the history of the term?

King Midas was a legendary King who was granted one wish by the god Dionysus.

His wish was that everything he touched would turn to gold.

When the wish was initially granted, he was excited.

He touched stone statues and wooden objects. They all turned to gold.

His legend spread far and wide as he quickly became known for his great wealth and godlike powers.

The allure soon faded when he became hungry and sat down for a meal.

As soon as he touched the meal, it too turned to gold.

This frustrated him as tried to eat all kinds of delicacies his royal status accorded him but everything - exotic fruit, deliciously seasoned meat and the finest of grain - turned to solid gold as soon as it touched his mouth.

The unthinkable had happened.

King Midas, with all the fame and splendour attainable in his time, was slowly starving to death.

He went out to his garden to clear his head and contemplate his options, careful not to touch anything there, when his beautiful daughter saw him and happily came running.

Happy to see something of true joy that day, he held her in his arms but was unable to lift her.

“When did she get so heavy?”, he thought.

Alas! Right there in arms, she had turned into a lifeless gold statue.

This broke his heart and he begged the gods to take the gift away.

Eventually, they did, and he left the experience with refined wisdom and a greater appreciation for the things that mattered.

Today, however, the term ‘Midas Touch’ only tells half the story.

I sometimes feel like the Game of Life is sentient and at times eggs us on for her own amusement.

I don’t know how often she looks down upon us in this cosmic amphitheatre but I’m fairly certain she’s caught me occasionally looking back, not with awe or amusement but with a mischievous wink, followed by ridiculous laughter.

** I wanted to say 'ridiculous cachinnation', but I didn't want to break your flow with a trip to the dictionary. Sha check it. **

She’s a shy one, Life. Used to watching us, but flustered when someone watches back.

She probably hates being figured out so she reshuffles the deck anytime you get close to the pattern, displaying the illusion of the infinite, keeping us humble, as we must be, or at least appear to be.

Is she peering over my shoulder as I type this?

What does she think of my colourful depictions of her? Is she impressed? Is she correcting my typos in her head?

Can I ask for her feedback on Instagram or Twitter?

Tinder? 👀

Back to the lesson.

So if not everything to be had is worth having, what is?

And if not every prize to be won is worth winning, what’s left?

The aim of this letter is not to provide you an answer, but to prompt you to investigate your pursuits for meaning (or lack thereof).

Reminds me of what a wise King once said...

“It is as important to learn to win, as it is to learn what is worth winning.”

- King Obidi I,II,III & IV

Valentine's Day is coming. If you want to cause trouble, just replace 'what' with 'who'.

This is not my handwriting.

Talk Soon,