Skip to main content

A great quote that applies to us all

I noticed a quote online the other day that not only rings true for most of us, but perfectly sums up some of life's biggest ironies:

"It takes sadness to know happiness, noise to appreciate silence, absence to value presence."

In other words, we need to experience what it's like not to have something in order to appreciate having it.

We take something for granted and only begin to appreciate the happiness it brings us once it's no longer there.

For example, I've ended friendships and relationships over the years with people who took advantage of my kind, generous nature. The deep sadness I was feeling -- coupled with the fact I was at wits end -- prompted me to pull the plug, and I eventually found happiness in the company of others who valued my time.

Though disappointed and contrite at first, they later thanked me for teaching them what it really means to appreciate others. They ingrained this in their minds moving forward, helping them improve their current relationships and forge new ones.

Parents -- especially new moms -- are the first to acknowledge the part that addresses appreciating silence. Many of the moms I know frequently post memes and quotes on Facebook having to with cherishing alone time.

It seems many of them don't foresee how drastically a child can change the dynamic at home. A crying baby who demands attention 24/7 and leaves food and toys strewn on the floor is a far cry from a quiet environment in which you can quietly read the paper. Many admit that they never appreciated or cared much for silence until they became parents.

As for the third part of the quote, most people concede that absence really does make the heart grow fonder. It's not always easy to appreciate someone once you've grown accustomed to seeing them every day. Once they leave town for business or take on additional projects that limit their availability, we suddenly yearn for their presence. We long to be with those whom -- for circumstances beyond our control -- we can't be with often.

Here's a trick: People can mindfully gain a greater appreciation for the things and people most dear to them by simply imagining them no longer being around. This is a much better alternative to waiting until someone gets fed up to finally value their presence. At that point, it's probably too late anyway.

What do you think of the above quote? Do you find it be true and relevant in your life?

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

This will spell the end of your relationship

When asked to think about the most common culprits for a relationship's going south, most people will point to cheating, complacency, and taking one's partner for granted. While these are all valid -- and documented in various posts on this blog -- there are certain habits on the part of partners that may not kill the relationship right away, but cause it to erode more gradually.  Among the most egregious of these is expecting your significant other to be perfect. They pick at your follies any chance they get. Nothing you do is ever good enough. In fact, you will never measure up to an ex, neighbor, or accomplished co-worker.  Perhaps this all sounds a bit familiar.  When you feel as though you're constantly being put under the microscope, it can inflict lasting damage on the relationship and your self-esteem. You're walking on eggshells all the time, praying you don't say or do something that's going to trigger your partner. This is no way to live, let alone ca

No response from someone IS a response

Make no mistake about it: When you don't get a response from someone -- whether they fail to answer your texts or return your phone calls -- it is  still a response, and a powerful one at that. When a person fails to respond, it's a direct reflection of their interest -- or lack thereof -- in the relationship. Few things are more aggravating than having to hound a partner, friend, or relative for some sort of reply after we've reached out to them. Yes, we get busy from time to time, but that doesn't give anyone the right to leave the other person hanging. A terse text with something like "Been busy, will reach out soon" doesn't say much, but at least it shows some effort to bring the other person up to speed on why they've fallen off the radar. Failing to provide a response for weeks -- if not months -- communicates that you are just not a priority, and that you'll have to wait your turn to get this individual's attention. This is n

Misconceptions about quiet people

Earlier today, I came across a Facebook page that features motivational quotes intended to improve people's moods and enhance their overall self-esteem. Interestingly, I noticed two quotes that focus specifically on quiet people: "Be afraid of quiet people; they're the ones who actually think." "The quietest people have the loudest minds." I've observed that most people's views of quiet individuals can fall under one of two categories: 1. The ones who say quiet people are antisocial, suspicious, snobbish, and/or full of themselves. 2. The people who say their introspective nature and propensity to be deep in thought makes them smarter than their more garrulous peers. The quotes above speak to this mindset. As an introvert known to be quiet at work and at social functions where I might not know anyone, I feel I'm well positioned to dispel any inaccuracies surrounding quiet folks. First of all, the above statements misguidedly put