Changing Fortune.
Changing fortune Vs. Change in Fortune ? It’s either gradual or instantaneous. If the former can be termed as a gradual change, the latter happens without a warning, even within the flash of a moment…with ruthless impact.
The Changing Fortune is a measured, slow-but-sure build up to the finale…as in,
· When the reigning Queen of France had to endure the dampness of dungeons from the luxury of her palace, to be guillotined in public..
It was Thomas Carlyle, who said, To such changes of human fortune what words are adequate ? Silence alone is adequate.
· The tragic end of the Romanov family, the 7 member Royalty living in ultra luxury to be shot and consigned to history.
· The chief of a world renowned biscuit brand, retaining the millionaire status even behind bars, falling a victim to a mysterious conspiracy, death greeting him in the cell with not a loving soul by the side.
· In recent times, we have seen numerous powerful leaders, heads of states, ministers whose arrogance matched their selfish motives, being swallowed up by the will of the public and now well within the arms of law.
An analysis of Change in Fortune, surprisingly reveal, a vast majority are lust and sex driven quests…. From the zenith of glory, to the abysmal depth of infamy… and thereafter living to cope with the disgrace and lost reputation.
It’s all about a mad moment of indiscretion… a sudden surge of adrenaline and before sanity is gained, there is the beginning of a heavy loss that triggers an avalanche sweeping in its way…years of perseverance, born skill, hard earned positions, titles given, rewards gained and awards earned .. et al.
Let’s look at some of the recent victims of only the consensual exploits, which served as accelerators to their reputation diving “south-east” –
· A great iconic golf player who lost his family along with his status, while confessing to nocturnal escapades,
· A high potential football player with years to play for, caught while ‘playing’ with the wrong field-mate,
· A Marathon runner of world fame, plunging down to his death while fleeing through the balcony, from a virile state, just a moment before, when his wife made a sudden entry…
· A two term Governor of a well known state, fathering a boy, within the confines of the Governor’s Mansion, whilst the family of four kids and wife now of 25 years are blissfully unaware,
· And not so consensual - The ‘most powerful Frenchman’ in the world seated in a plane, whose destination changed forever, recalled to face charges of abusing the modesty of a maid….
On a different note, there are those who have survived the fall of fortune – and lived to tell the tale, literally ; largely due to support in various forms…
· The President of a powerful nation, on a juvenile exploit within the Oval Office,
· Another President of an ancient nation, for his promiscuous & lavish life style,
· A promising President material, whose ambitions drowned with the victim at Chappaquiddick,
The question so often asked by all of us who read these kind of juicy stories is “Why did he have to do that.?” … there is no answer, at least not just one answer… but let’s take a look from a different angle.
How many of us, the so called ‘puritans’ of the society, can be honest enough to admit, that we would look the other way, given the circumstances – of opportunity, time and inclination, not to mention wealth and fame as additional motivators to lure the opposites….. to that critical moment of weakness…. ?
Each one of us can look within ourselves and utter a silent honest answer, if one can succeed at all, to imagine to be in those circumstances. Honestly, in our normal and mundane style of living, there is hardly any scope available, given or affordable, in order to test our moral rigidity or flexibility.
The bottom line is not whether one can pass the acid test, but whether the family can cope with the change as the result –
those who dare, do not care. Those who care, do not dare.
Simple enough?
But the onus of burden to cope with the change lies squarely with the family… let the one who dared, be damned… but what care is left for the family? In ‘rich & famous’ cases, it’s the loss of reputation, whereas in several unreported cases affecting normal bread winners, it’s a matter of survival besides loss of face before the society.
For instance, the housewife who can no more hold her head high before neighbors and family, the kids who could be the subject of ridicule about their father, they held dear until then and so on.
It is this Change in Fortune that drives those affected to mental trauma, suicides, revenge attacks etc. It is imperative that in such cases, well wishes within reach, bring in professional counsel immediately, to ensure coping with this drastic change.
No wonder then, suicide tendency is the most anticipated reaction from the victims and accused alike, which is monitored by the authorities, where possible.
History is replete with tales of gallivanting ‘Casanovas’ … morality in high societies, is irrelevant then and now… and will continue to be….. and the burden of shame for the family at all social levels, then now and will continue to be beyond the Change in Fortune.
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You always experience the consequences of your acts.
If your acts are right, you’ll get good consequences; If not, you’ll suffer for it.
Right or Wrong, its in your hand.
But at the end, all acts sum up as your life.pravsworld.
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Mohandas KP.
