Life Lessons 4

The fourth life lesson is Loss. We lose everything we own. You don’t own anything; everything is on loan. The most important things in life cannot be taken away from you. The sooner you accept the fact that loss is an essential part of life, the sooner you will be able to live fully. Everything is temporary, so don’t try to make it permanent.

In the school of life, loss is one of the major courses. Loss teaches us what is truly important in life. Loss also draws us closer to each other and deepens our connections with each other. When you realize that you will eventually lose a loved one you will treasure that person all the more. Without loss there can be no growth. With loss there is always growth. With growth there is always loss. Everything that begins will eventually end. When we go through loss we are enabled to change. If we guard against loss, we hurt ourselves and hinder our own growth.

There is a natural process of grieving over loss. First, we deny the loss. Second, we become angry. Third, we try to make bargains to regain what was lost. Fourth, we become depressed. Finally, we learn to accept the loss and move on. Each person will experience this process differently, in a different order and at a different pace. This process can’t be forced or hurried along before the person is ready. All we can do is let it take its own course, realizing it will pass. Accepting this process is essential to healing and change.