Two left ?hands?

ambisinister am-bi-SIN-uh-stuhr, adj: Clumsy with both hands. (Literally, with two left hands.) From Latin ambi- (both) + sinister (on the left side).

Occupational Hazard

Right Livelihood appears to be harder to practice these days than in the time of the Buddha. The rule is still the same: Right Livelihood is organizing one's financial support so that it is non-abusive, non-exploitative, and non-harming. However, these days what is abusive and exploitative is not necessarily self-evident.

When the Buddha taught, unwholesome livelihood categories were easy to distinguish. Soldiering, keeping slaves, manufacturing weapons and intoxicants – all were on the proscribed list. In our time, soldiers sometimes serve as peacekeepers. It's hard to know the wholesomeness of all the products of any corporation, corporate mergers being what they are. Who knows what else is being manufactured by me detergent company's subsidiaries? . . .

For me, a complete picture of wholesome Right Livelihood is even larger than the proscriptions that reflect external choices. Wholesome internal choices – healthy attitudes about one's work – also contribute to mental happiness and peace of mind. Everyone's livelihood is an opportunity for self-esteem.

-- Sylvia Boorstein, It's Easier Thank You Think
Tricycle's Daily Dharma for August 22, 2008

As a bonus, I just acquired this book for my TBR pile