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Other essays on this theme
Essay: "Nothing to Lose"by Robert Moser I think all convicts, outlaws, addicts, and even the poor have felt there's nothing to lose. Destitution in all shapes and sizes will push someone into that state of mind. It's an extreme that not just those on this side of the fence are subjected to. It is an extreme! It's a state of total desperation we reach where we'll take any step needed to make it past and through the situation at hand.
As a prisoner, I'm hit frequently with the "I have nothing to lose" mentality: from others and myself. Anytime a man or woman reaches the end of their rope there is only one direction left, or else we can decide to become idle, and who wants to remain idle once they've reached the end of any rope? A person on the run has nothing to lose. Why not go out with a bang? A person in a situation where their addiction overrides their common sense "always" feels there is nothing to lose and ends up dead or in prison because the "nothing to lose" mindset has severe consequences. Put yourself in the vehicle with a dozen cop cars behind it. Hot pursuit. Red and blue flashing lights. You have warrants, you're a three time loser, and you have a syringe full of dope or your pistol with you... What is going through your mind? Pull over? Hit the gas? At that moment most feel there's nothing to lose. Yet in that situation or any other there is always something to lose! There's a lot to lose and it's a choice you're free to make. In the police chase situation you can toss the pistol or dope, pull over and all you lose is your freedom. To some that's everything and to others there's that light at the end of the tunnel. If you don't pull over, you can try to run. There's always a chance you'll get away, plus it's a hellified rush. When there's nothing to lose and you take the chance there is always a possibility things will go your way. "Nothing to lose" is definitely a two-sided coin. It can be positive or negative. It can be the extra push that gives you what you need to make it another mile and win or finish the race. It can also be the suicidal crash and burn risk. "I have nothing to lose" is what a hungry person says before they steal to have what they need. It is what a crack-head thinks before he robs 7-11 for $27 so he can have a hit. It is what a teenager feels who's in a screwed up spot in his or her young life. It's what we feel when we know in Texas chance for parole is slim. It's a "thought" I'm mature enough or sober enough now to see that requires caution and care and a close look at. It's a way of thinking that ends up costing us dearly, so if you even feel you have nothing to lose watch your next step because maybe there is something to lose. Sometimes in this twisted world losing some things is the only way we'll find them! -Robert Moser |