Feel blessed to wake up in the quiet moments of dawn,
when the world hold its breath, birds chirp loud,
and the sun spills golden threads of light,
take a moment and feel blessed-
capture the rising steam of morning coffee
that dances in the air,
feel the warmth and sip your coffee nice and slow.
Do not wait for the storm,
a light breeze rustling leaves of the trees,
creating only melodies,
your favorite song that plays on repeat.
Spread your arms and just feel–
feel blessed you are breathing,
you are alive.
Remember,
before life teaches you loss,
it whispers of presence.
Cherish the small moments
that slip through fingers like sand,
until all that remains
are echoes in an empty room.
So feel blessed,
as if each heartbeat
is a gentle reminder-
every breath you hold now
is a treasure.
For life has a way
of teaching lessons in absence,
turning the present into a memory
before you’re ready to let go.
The poem reflects on the importance of “Love What You Have Before Life Teaches You To Love What You Lost.” It emphasizes you cherish the present and appreciate what you have before life teaches you the pain of loss.
Keep reading the article to explore the real teachings of this phrase.
What Does “Love What You Have Before Life Teaches You To Love What You Lost” Mean?
We have tried to explain the phrase in a poetic way in the start of the article. If you are still confused, allow us to explain the meaning of the phrase in the story form.
There were three men; a beggar, a handicap and a sick man. The beggar began complaining about his poor life, how much he needed a pair of shoes as he has been walking barefooted all his life.
Then, the beggar saw a handicap and realized that he was very privileged to have all four limbs. He felt sorry for complaining and said to himself, “Thank God, I am not handicapped.”
While the handicapped began to complain of not being able to walk, a very sick man came passing by, heading to the hospital. Then, the handicapped realized he was even more privileged and said, “Thank god, I am not sick!”
While the sick man was lying on the hospital bed feeling bad about his condition, an ambulance came to pick up someone who had died. Then, the sick man realized how lucky he was to be alive. He said to himself, “Thank God, I am not dead.”
The story reminds you of whatever condition you are in right now, as long as you are not dead, you have to feel privileged and cherish every small moment in your life. It suggests that life can change unexpectedly, and if we take things for granted, we may only realize their true value after they’re gone.
So, be thankful to god that you are privileged to be alive, that you still breath air freely. You can enjoy the free gift of the blessings of love, fellowship and friendship you receive from those who give it to you, it’s a privilege, don’t take it for granted.
What Teachings Does the Phrase Offer?
The phrase “Love what you have before life teaches you to love what you lost” carries several teachings, including;
1. Appreciate What You Have
This phrase makes you focus on appreciating the present and all it offers. People usually take their current blessings—relationships, health, opportunities—for granted. Avoiding regrets later on can be achieved by cherishing what you have now. Practicing gratitude daily, being aware of small moments, and showing love to people around you may help you deepen your appreciation for the present. This mindset fosters a sense of peace and fulfillment that enriches your life.
2. Accept that Everything is Impermanent
Life is constantly in a state of flux, and nothing remains permanent. The more you understand this truth, the more you will appreciate every moment rather than holding on to the fantasy of permanence. You’ll be able to see that all that you cherish-your relationships, possessions, or even your skills-is temporary, which makes you appreciate every moment. You become aware, grateful, and resilient to change as you acknowledge life’s impermanence.
3. The Wisdom from Loss
It just means you’d have more reasons to appreciate what you’ve never taken a close look at because you never looked that closely again due to some loss you felt. Such painful experience alters one’s vision, and one would become sharper to that which matters; with loss, you’d discover within strength and develop some kind of insight for holding dearly those blessings presently with you.
4. Value Relationships and Experiences More than Materialism
Only after relationships and experiences are lost do they become priceless. The phrase makes you focus more on these than material success, as true happiness and satisfaction arise from relationships, love, and shared memories. You will care less about extrinsic achievements and more about bonding relationships that bring you actual happiness and meaning by valuing relationships and experiences.
5. Develop a Habit of Gratitude
Gratitude: This teaching is based on giving thanks for everything you already have and not for what you lose. A life of frequent gratitude practice helps you understand your blessings while developing resistance to the adversities and prosperity of life.
Gratitude habit works so deep into your mind by getting some fun from the little but usual things that people ignore for their routine. This gives you the assurance that you really value the present and won’t allow yourself to dwell in regret over unapprised blessings.
Why Do We Often Take Things for Granted?
We often take things for granted because, with time, they become a routine of our lives. If we are used to having a comfortable home, food to eat, or people who care for us, we will begin to consider these things as “normal” and not special. The more familiar we become with things, the less we will notice their value, which, without them, makes our lives much more difficult.
The second reason we tend to take things for granted is that we’re usually on the lookout for what we lack rather than being grateful for what we have. People focus on what they don’t have: a better job, a new gadget, etc. Chasing after them, we forget the simple good things we already possess, such as health, friendship, or comfort in our daily lives.
We are most of the time busy, distracted, and jumping from one thing to another. So fast that it is easy to miss what is right before our eyes. We seldom take time to think about the things that support us daily, like our family, our home, or even simple things like nature or a sunny day.
Embrace Gratitude as a Daily Habit
Here are some practical ways to incorporate gratitude into your daily routine;
- Maintain a Gratitude Journal:- Write down three things you’re thankful for every morning or evening. This practice conditions your mind to focus on the positives.
- Set Reminders:- Schedule reminders on your phone for you to pause and think of something you are grateful for. In short breaks, you are being mindful of small blessings in your life.
- Express Gratitude to Others:- You have to adopt a habit of thanking others. A quick “thank you” builds relationships and deepens one’s sense of gratitude.
- Daily Meditation:- Every day, spend a few minutes sitting quietly. You have to breathe deeply and focus on the present moments. This helps ground your mind and can even elevate your mood.
- Mindful Walking:- Every morning, start taking walks and paying attention to your surroundings. Focus on the beauty of nature and the ground beneath your feet. These mindful walks will help you appreciate the simplicity of your life.
- Use Visual Cues:- Keep a reminder, like on your mirror or on your desk using a note or an image, that encourages you to be reflective of the things that bring you gratitude as you pass by.
- Write Gratitude Letters:- You can write a letter to someone who has made a positive impact in your life. In the letter, you have to express how much they mean to you. This practice will not only bring gratitude inside you, but also strengthens your relationship with that person.
What Does a Loss Teach Us
Here’s what loss teaches us;
1. Emotional Growth
The loss brings various feelings, such as sorrow, anger, or bewilderment. Life has taught us to process them and be resilient. This emotional journey teaches us to embrace vulnerability and realize how important it is to get help from other people. In dealing with our emotions, we get stronger and become more compassionate.
Through this, we will get more alert to our emotional needs and learn how to manage these in healthier ways so we can develop better emotional intelligence.
2. Appreciation for Life
It shows us the value we had for that something or someone lost in our lives. It can make us look at life differently, reminding us to hold on to the relationships and experiences we have. We take things for granted until they are gone. It teaches us to live more fully and to hold onto moments with loved ones. It teaches us to be present and savor each day and recognize the beauty in the simple things of life.
3. Strength and Endurance
Coping with hard moments is what loss requires and strengthens resilience. We become able to realize that hitting rock bottom can be part of life; we also understand strength and endurance are needed to overcome such moments. That experience might empower one to face future problems with greater confidence.
By experiencing loss, one finds his or her inner strength and ability to adapt to change. Such an ability develops into a useful driving tool, encouraging one to pursue goals.
4. Change of Point of View
The loss pushes you to change your point of view regarding life. Your priorities and what you value may change. You may start focussing on meaningful relations and experiences rather than material things or superficial objectives. This will help bring in a clear view of values and thereby make better decisions that result in a more fulfilling life. This change will motivate you to do things you care for, contribute to society, and bring you closer to others.
5. Compassion towards Others
Losing can make you more compassionate to others in pain. You will understand the pain, which will make you sympathize better. Compassion brings you closer to others and inspires you to reach out to those in need. And also, as you help in the healing process of those around you, it reinforces your healing process.
6. Find a New Purpose
When you lose something, it can lead to a sense of searching for a new purpose or meaning in life. A compelling drive within you is to honor your loss by pursuing new passions and goals. This might create an inspiration to change and even help others who pass through similar situations. In turn, it transforms what gives you grief into motivation, finding a purpose for forward movement, which leads to regaining all that has to be in life: happiness and fulfillment.
Pursue a Life of Purpose and Fulfillment
The phrase “Love What You Have Before Life Teaches You To Love What You Lost” also encourages us to live a life filled with purpose and fulfillment. It is all about finding what truly matters to you.
You will get the purpose of your life when you understand or come to know what things keep you excited and motivated at all times. It should be understood that what to be passionate about is basically a career, hobby, or the passion to help another human being. When that passion is identified, day-to-day activities can match the love, and suddenly, meaning is found in everyday tasks of life.
This kind of life should be pursued with clear goals. These goals must be aligned with your values and what you want to achieve. Think about what makes you happy and what you want to contribute to the world. Break down these goals into small, manageable steps, and celebrate your progress along the way. Achieving these goals, no matter how small, will boost your confidence and drive you to keep moving forward.
Building good relationships is also essential. Hang out with friends or other people who inspire and lift you up. It helps you survive hard times and develops positive emotions in your heart, for it creates community once the bond becomes tighter as well.
Finally, be open to new experiences and learning. Life is full of surprises, and embracing change can lead you to unexpected paths that bring joy and fulfillment. Whether it’s picking up a new skill, volunteering, or traveling, these experiences help you grow and enrich your life.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What Does the Phrase “Love What You Have Before Life Teaches You to Love What You Lost” Mean?
This phrase, therefore, emphasizes the appreciation of people, experiences, and things in your life before they are gone. It reminds you to appreciate what you have in the present moment.
2. Why Appreciate What You Have?
The appreciation of what you have may lead to greater happiness and fulfillment. It helps to foster gratitude, which improves mental health, strengthens relationships, and enhances overall life satisfaction.
3. How Can I Practice Gratitude in My Daily Life?
I can practice gratitude by keeping a gratitude journal, thanking loved ones for what they are doing, or just reflecting over the good things going on in my life. Little acts can make a lot of difference.
4. What are the Effects of Taking Things for Granted?
If people take things for granted, they will usually feel bad about loss and sadness when the things are no longer there. That also creates a mindset of dissatisfaction and entitlement.
5. How Would I Encourage Others to Appreciate What They Have?
You can encourage others by sharing your own experiences, talking about the benefits of gratitude, and leading by example. Engaging in meaningful conversations about appreciation can inspire others to reflect on their own lives.
6. What Do I Do If I Discover I Have Taken Something for Granted?
You can act proactively too by changing the way your thought pattern is being used when thanking in the future.
7. What Happens If I Lose Something?
Loss can be a good teacher to learn. Often, when you lose something, it makes you realize what you had better and makes you cherish the present more.
8. Can the Practice of Gratitude Aid in Tough Times?
It is the time when the practice of gratitude can be helpful as it gives hope and perspective. It could divert your focus away from negativities and make you aware of all the support and positivity in your life.
9. How Does Gratitude Impact Mental Health and Wellbeing?
According to various reports, gratitude can improve your sleep, mood and immunity. It also helps to reduce anxiety, depression and risk of disease.
10. What are the Obstacles to Being More Grateful?
Sometimes, it becomes hard to stay grateful when you are around negative. It will become uncomfortable for you to start being grateful in such an environment.
