[raname]

We all know with what every episode of FMA starts: "Mankind cannot gain anything without first giving up something in return".

That's why I want to ask you: can this rule be used in real world? Do you believe that by thinking in this way, you can achieve what you always wanted?

[bryant100000]

if u kill urself, no, someone wont come back to life.(seriously, dont try it)

[raname]

of course, this is not the case. But, you can give your life in order to save another.

[KakashiGaiden]

I like to think that if you put in enough effort you can gain almost anything. Think of it like trading time and work for obtaining something you desire.

However, I don't believe in the whole equivalent trade concept for life, considering how people inherently start out in different situations. For example, someone in an upper-class family might not have to put in nearly as much time and effort to gain material possessions or achieve goals as someone else who grew up in a less fortunate situation.

The concept can apply to some things, but sadly not every trade in this world is equal for every person.

[raname]

of course that this is a rule applied to a perfect situation. I am also suggesting the possibilty of having this rule as something to guide you in life.

[Akatsuki~FTW]

Well the whole basis of my life is giving stuff up to get soemthing in return.

I give up my time to study, I recieve the grades I deserve.

I give up my food to my friend, She gets fed (I don't mind starving) xD

So really, It can be applied to many situations. Though I do think that one single line is very powerful.

[peaches93]

there are some times when equivalent exchange seems to be pretty much the way the world goes round
i always like to think that when someone dies, somebody else is born and that the tiny gap of someone leaving the world is being filled by someone else it makes it easier for me to understand death..
but like isnt black and white
there are some times where there isnt equivalent exchange like say the 9/11, thousands of people died but thousands of people wernt born..
i sometimes think 'well maybe its because our world has too many people' but that cant be right, everyone deserves to live a long and healthy life so why doesnt that always happen?
but i think its something that just hasnt been found out yet..its something that is yet to be discovered and understood and equivalent exchange is in there somewhere (:

[raname]

I know that this conclusion is very sad. Many people die and maybe the only thing that they experience is sufference.

I do not know a lot of biology, but it is said that when we are born, there is in your DNA the pieces of information connected to our body, I mean height, the colour of our eyes, weight, everything, I think that also the diseases are inscripted in our code. And, maybe the possibilty to die or to live.

If you come to think of that, partially, our destiny is written before we are born. But, honestly, I do not care about my DNA.

[taurgis]

Ashamefully its a rule that can only be applied sometimes...