That’s what Ma always said in The Little House series.
Example:
- Great loss = blackbirds destroyed Pa’s corn crop and made Pa sell a calf to fund Mary’s college tuition.
- Small gain = delicious blackbird pie with fresh young vegetables (no use in saving them ’cause the blackbirds will get it all).
I haven’t gotten to the great loss (yet? knock on wood): a layoff, which would be the greatest great loss, as it would be for most others.
If I were to lose my job, the small gain(s) would be 1. opportunity to take risks (one of my mentors say that when you’re unemployed, your opportunity cost is the lowest), and 2. time to travel abroad for an extended period.
What would you say the “great loss” and the “small gain” would be for you personally in this economic meltdown?
Also, what book did the blackbird scenario come from? No material prizes, but you get the satisfaction of being a Little House Trivia Expert! 
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My small gain with not having a contract or any job prospects is I got to spend Dec and Jan with BF.. it was GREAT
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“Just a girl trying to find a balance between being a Shopaholic and a Saver.“
Hm, I had to re-read the book titles. It must be little town on the prairie, cause Mary was still home in the Long Winter and these happy golden years mainly focused on her meeting Almanzo. Am I right? I read the series a million times as a kid, but that was many years ago!
I hate to be a copycat, but I’d say the same as you:
Great loss = being laid-off
Small gain = opportunity to stretch myself and start something new. I wouldn’t be able to get another job in my industry (because no one’s really hiring right now), so I’d have to start from scratch….probably starting a business of some sort. I’ve got a few ideas.
Oh, and I read those books too and loved them….but I don’t remember ANYTHING!! lol. Maybe I should pick them up again. I’m sure it wouldn’t take me more than a few days to finish each of them.
Hmmm, I looove the travel option. Also, I like the idea of (if I’d saved enough) going on a volunteer trip of some sort. Spend some time working with Habitat for Humanity, for example.
And, maybe, changing careers entirely? Interning, perhaps, if there were no other jobs in my field.
The pie reference reminds me of when Ma made green pumpkin pie. I was always curious how that would really taste.
My great loss would be the same as yours, and the gain would be similar: an opportunity to find a new job. In the present job market, I don’t feel comfortable enough to move on.
Like others, I read the books often as a kid, but I don’t recall which one contained the blackbird story (although I remember the story itself!).
My great loss would be a layoff and I don’t have any money saved (tragic, I know), so my small gain would be having to start saving money (because I’d have to move back home with my mom and stepfather… ICK!).
I’m facing imminent great loss and small gain with my upcoming layoff. I expect my small gain to be the time to find a great opportunity.
This is sooo true! I would say yes to the travel the world option too! And I loved, loved, loved Little House on the Prairie. It was the only show my mom, sister and I all liked.
I’m living it right now: I’m out of work and a lot of my social interaction. Sometimes I think I might go crazy from being alone, or broke (I immediately took by last contract money in full and paid my share of the expenses through May, with $40/month left over through that time. Rent, food and hygiene products are covered – everything else comes from the $40).
Small gain: Improving my life. Well, it’s small now but long-term it should be a huge gain. I am usually fairly lucky in that I have never been unemployed more than a month when I wanted a job because I’ll bite the bullet and do any gainful employment (urg, my time as a telemarketer…). However, my loved ones told me not to do that this time.
Instead of the usual finding-a-job-is-my-full-time-job approach, finding a job is my part-time job: I only apply for jobs in positions/careers that I am looking to spend the rest of my life in. It makes me nervous, but that’s what they want me to do. The rest of my time is spent making me a better person: I am working through a self-help book and trying to get my health under control – which could be a full-time job in itself. Some of it was organic and some of it psychological (by psychological, I mean my job was so stressful that I developed stomach problems and pains from the tension).
It’s weird, both from I’m not use to being unemployed and this is so long-term but the short-term hurts (I want money! $40 is basically an ink cartridge if I run out). Must focus on gain.
sweet… thanks…