You hear often ‘you don’t know what you had til its gone’. Fact of the matter is people know what they have, which is why they have it, but they never take into consideration they will ever lose it, until its too late.
When people have something good for a running period of time, just as any situation, over time you get comfortable. What I don’t fully understand is why does the reality or threat of having that good thing taken away need to occur for a person to once again appreciate what it is they have? At that time where the possibility of you losing something occurs, it is too late, minds have been made up and impressions have been made.
I’m not saying its ever too late to make a change, just may not be in time for the situation that forces you to open your eyes and make that change.
You Forgot Your Common Sense 
@ I’m not saying its ever too late to make a change, just may not be in time for the situation that forces you to open your eyes and make that change. …>>You said more than a mouthful! I couldn’t agree more..I’ll take that one step further & say alot of wonderful opportunities can be lost due to this being factual. I can flip your question and ask..”Why don’t we, as a general rule, appreciate the finer things in life(including good people in our lives..) on a regular basis? NOT just on the specific days to do either..i.e..Birthdays, Mothers/Fathers Day, etc..I made a promise to myself that in 2013 I’d show those who are special in my world; how special they are often! Like something for them without them having to ask..those make the best sweet surprises
I couldn’t agree more!! A lot of opportunities are lost! This is just my opinion, when people have something they see that as kind of the “norm” for their life, its suppose to be there so there is no deeper appreciation for something because of expectation that it’ll be around. The best surprises ARE those that are unexpected, I like your thinking!
@ This is just my opinion, when people have something they see that as kind of the “norm” for their life, its suppose to be there so there is no deeper appreciation for something because of expectation that it’ll be around. ..>>I dig your way of thinking also! As for your comment I’ve quoted you on? That , I think, is called taking something for granted! I’ve got my hand held UP high (and standing on my tippy toes to make sure its as high as it can get up there..) I used to be very, very guilty of this. So much so that I not only took someone very special to me (still to this day..) for granted(and yep, I was married to him & he’s still to this day a very, good life long friend) but also under-estimated his worth to me as a MAN. I knew, in my hearts of hearts, he was/IS an excellent Black male role model & Dad to our sons BUT I honestly didn’t give him his due credit as a MAN. That was backintheday & really, honestly, spoke volumes more about my interactions with men back then. I didn’t quite “fully” trust them..which speaks volumes NOT of how I was raised(by an outstanding Father/Daddy and Momma lol) but due to an awful happening done to me by a MAN. You see alot of times we don’t realize “how” we’re treating people/viewing people..and hand in hand with that is UNTIL we do realize it..we can’t get to the “root” of the whys. Once I began to sincerely deal with Bernadette(moi) on a very naked honestly level? I could begin the path to healing myself and old wounds..In the process? I no longer have that inherent mistrust of men. Which opens me wide up now for my very last marriage…And now? From my parents to my sons to my friends to my coworkers to my mentors..I try hard often to let them know how much I appreciate them. Real talk for real. Jeez this topic made me reflect. Alot . I love IT
The threat of losing something shouldn’t be what makes us appreciate it, but it’s only the consequences in our lives that teach us the wisdom of the ages… Sadly, it’s the excercise of trying and failing a few times that helps us understand it’s piercing meaning. Then, when we’ve loved, gotten comfortable, and subsequently lost… well all the better for the next person who comes along… that is, if we actually learn from those mistakes.
The thing with this is… People know what they had, but when you reach a comfort level you tend to forget how much hard work it was to get it. When someone gives you $5 and you lose it, it’s not the same as losing $5 you had to work for. You just appreciate things more when you had to earn it. In relationships you earn the status you reach for, you just have to be reminded of how to keep it by the threat of losing it.