The Irony of Appreciation: Why We Often Fail to Value the Present Until Gone

Life. Living. Learning. It is a process. Par for the course. We can't have one thing without the other. It is possible to be grateful for things, maybe not everything, while they are still present, although it often takes lots of living and learning.

The Necessity of Gratitude for Appreciation

Appreciation, without gratitude, cannot exist. Acknowledging reality and truth, even more so the 'absence makes the heart grow fonder' phenomenon, is crucial to understanding what it means to be truly thankful. This realization and gratefulness come naturally when we fail to appreciate something or many things until they are gone.

The Process of Gaining Wisdom Through Absence

Failing to appreciate something until it vanishes is a natural part of the process. It is what we go through in order to learn to be grateful for things while they are still present. This realization can be tough to accept, especially when denial feels more comfortable, until it no longer serves us.

The Nature of Enjoyable Moments and Their Fleeting Light

Enjoyable moments are fleeting. We often strive to hold on to them as they unfold, but this is not always possible without experiencing loss. Loss is an inevitable part of living. It comes with the territory.

Practicing Gratitude While the Present Is Here

Being grateful for things even when they are present is possible but requires practice. It necessitates realizing and understanding what is happening, at least what we believe we know, and challenging ourselves to live in the present. There is always more to life and learning about it, and appreciating it, if we practice mindfulness and gratitude.

Conclusion

Failing to realize the value of something until the loss is a natural part of growing and gaining wisdom. It is during this process that we come to understand the importance of appreciating the present moment. By acknowledging and practicing gratitude, we can find joy and value in the here and now, and cherish experiences while they are happening, rather than waiting for them to be gone.