Palindromic Philosophy

The usual approach to any result is that if it’s a good/successful outcome, then there’s no need to look back at the process because in the end you profited. However, if the result is bad, we look back to see where we went wrong. When something goes right, we don’t immediately think back and try to figure out where improvements could have been made. What if you look back at a positive result and realize the process of getting there was all negative? What if your success was like a side effect, there was a possibility of it happening, but that wasn’t what the medicine was for?

People always say, “It’s the thought that counts.” Usually when this phrase is repeated it’s because of some plan or action that suffered failure. You get a birthday present for someone, but they don’t like it. It’s the thought that counts. You decide to cook a meal for your boyfriend, but end up burning the food. It’s the thought that counts. You wanted to throw your grandmother a surprise birthday party, but she had a heart attack from the shock. It’s the thought that counts. I hope the last one never happens, but I’m just trying to make a point here. You’re supposed to look at the intentions of a person whether their actions resulted in good or bad.

What if the end results of a person’s actions were good, but the intentions were bad? What if someone had impure intentions and wanted only to benefit themselves, but somehow you were benefited by them? This person never truly cared about your well being; you were used, but, in the end, you were better off. In a situation like this does the phrase “it’s the thought that counts” still apply?