The law of equivalent exchange

Alchemy, the ancient mystical art where common substances are transmuted into precious minerals. At least, that's how I first learnt about it, from the books I read in primary school. Alchemy was this pseudoscience, where one could start with a worthless piece of coal, and end up with an ingot of gold.

I can't go any further on this topic, without mentioning one of the greatest pieces of fiction, that I've come across. Full Metal Alchemist, a story where two brothers Edward and Alphonse, learn how to do alchemy, and live with the consequences of their actions. Within this mythos, there is a law termed, the law of equivalent exchange. 

The law states, "Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is Alchemy's First Law of Equivalent Exchange". Philosophically this way of looking at alchemy, really does ground the art into everyday life. Although there are exceptions to this rule. Everything we either enjoy or suffer, is as a result of an action taken previously. 

When I think about the relationships in my life. The ones that I enjoy the most, inevitably are the ones that have been poured into the most. In some seasons, some relationships have thrived due to convenience and proximity. In the long run, the litmus test has been, the intentionality even when it gets inconvenient to maintain things. This makes me appreciate, all my long distance friends who do go the extra mile to, make time to check up on me. Healthy and thriving relationships, need communication and quality time, and that's a lot of work. 

I think that's the illusive nature of alchemy. Everyone wants to leap from coal to gold, without an arduous process. It's hard to blame anyone who falls for this trap. Most of the stories we come across tend to sensationalise the success part of the story. The process in itself does not get as much attention as the outcome. It sadly does not sell much to watch people make slow progress, when a victory march grabs more attention.


The game is one of give and take. Often we call a person a genius, without accounting for the excessive amount of time, they have poured into a skill. With athletes, spending extra hours practicing may very well, result in an advantage of merely centimetres. Yet such a small difference can be what separates winners from losers. You can't expect to win if you're not putting in the work. 

In the letter to the church in Galatia, an agricultural metaphor is used. The apostle says whatever one sows, that he will also reap. That which we give in our efforts, we will receive in due time. True to agriculture is the fact that, the day you sow isn't the day you reap, so patience is required for reaping the harvest of good work. I try to think of the delayed gratification, as a favour to my future self. To obtain something desirable for your future self, a great deal of effort must be exchanged for it in the present. 

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