Q: What’s the best way to recognise the value of something you have?
A: By losing it.
I’ve been thinking about this a lot—friends, work, home, even food on the table. It’s often only when they’re gone that we truly understand their worth. So wouldn't it be helpful to experience loss – but only temporarily? I reckon there’s real value in "controlled losses", and there are plenty around. The impact depends on two factors: how deeply it’s felt and how long it lasts.
Take a bungee jump, for example. For a few seconds, I face a simulated "loss of life," and the rebound is exhilarating. Or consider a five-day silent retreat: stepping away from an everyday environment, losing familiar comforts and distractions can help me remember ‘what truly matters’. Even small actions, like going tech-free for half a day or switching the usual mode of transport, can be surprisingly insightful.
I reckon it’s very important to recognise the value of a loss, and if possible get some of its goodness in a controlled way.
Author: JD
Image by arvndvisual from Pixabay
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