Day 8 - Don't burn your bridges

Burning bridges may have been the best tactical move of army generals during wars in historic times. But these are different times we live. We don't have enemies sneaking on us behind our backs nor do we face tough choices or do or die situations in these civilian times.
Well, in spite of that, there are times where we see individuals who burn their own bridges, as they fail to see the distant eventuality of their actions. Sadly what matters to them is the now and hence their hasty, premature actions or decisions lead to burning of bridges, bonds and relationships, forever.
My compulsion to write on this topic was an incident which happened just this week in my office and I was a close witness to it.

We have a job opening for the post of event manager in our organization. And this piece of news somehow reached the ears of our ex-colleague. It so happens that this colleague is also looking for a job opportunity. So he approached me as I would be filling up this position.
I immediately mentioned this to my boss given that we are in the final stages with 2 other candidates and he would have been a an ideal 3rd candidate in the fray given his familiar background.
Unfortunately, he won't be considered.
Why?
Not because he is incapable, or his profile does not match or his experience is limited. On the contrary he is over qualified for this position but he still won't make it.
This was because of  an incident which I became privy to, only now.

Three years back when he left our organization to start a business, he did so unceremoniously. When he left, he did something which completely broke the trust of his (and my current)  boss.
So, in spite of the fact that he may have been hard working, sincere, capable and all that during his tenure, he had in one finishing stroke ruined his own chances of a come back.... which was to happen 3 years later incidentally.

Now, he is facing tough times and is unable to resurrect his sagging business, the business for which he had moved on. He is currently very desperate for a job. So pitifully desperate, that he is open for a job that may undermine his own competency and salary expectations.

How circumstances change? How people change? But how basic principles in life just don't.

It's called the circle of life! Karma - "principle of causality where intent and actions of an individual influence the future of that individual." (as per Wikipedia definition)
What he did 3 years back by 'burning the bridges' has eventually caught up with him in these moments of uncertainty. What could have been a comfortable comeback is now a door which will never open for him.

In a nutshell, don't make burning bridges ever an option in your life unless you plan to build your own.