When life is two sides of the same coin

The expression “two sides of the same coin” refers to things that seem different but are actually related; tragedy and comedy for example or love and hate. According to The Cambridge Dictionary “violent behaviour and deep insecurity are often two sides of the same coin.” The Longman Dictionary has “great opportunity and great danger are two sides of the same coin.”

It’s strange, isn’t it? Things that are poles apart seem to be deeply connected. An invisible force that pushes them away but binds them together. There’s a well-known phrase: “never let a good crisis go to waste.” The thing we dread can be the thing that lifts us up.

“Prosperity is not without many fears and disasters; and adversity is not without comforts and hopes.” Francis Bacon, philosopher

Here’s another way to look at sides and coins. We get butterflies in our stomachs when we’re excited. The jittery feeling when we turn a corner and see a loved one for the first time in months. We’re happy, excited, our heart is racing. Not that different from nerves then? That sick feeling that arises when we remember we’re presenting to 1600 people tomorrow afternoon.

We are hardwired so that stress gets fired straight from our brain to our gut. In his book…