It’s one of those sayings that should probably appear on the list of “things your grandmother used to say” but the old adage you don’t know what you have till it’s gone – while admittedly being a little clichéd – still proves true time and again. Very often the value of a possession or even a relationship is easily overlooked or taken as a given, until it’s no longer available.
Now you see me, now you don’t
In 1911, arguably the most famous painting in the world, the Mona Lisa, was stolen from its home in the Louvre museum in Paris, France. For two years it remained lost to the world until it was uncovered when the thief tried to sell it to a gallery in Italy. At the time, this iconic work of art was not as well known as it is today, but the robbery caused public awareness of the painting to grow to such a point that more people went to visit the Louvre to view the empty space where the painting hung, than had visited in the previous number of years before the theft. It’s so funny that a missing, “not there” Mona Lisa was more of a draw than the actual, “there” Mona Lisa. It would seem that the art loving public were more interested in seeing the masterpiece when they weren’t able to, than when it was available and within reach.
Don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone
Being grateful and appreciating the things that you have is one of the easiest way to add benefit and joy to your life, yet very often it’s the things that we have that are most valuable that we forget to appreciate until they are gone. Regardless of how much you own or possess, here are a few things you can remember to appreciate in your life:
Your health: It’s easy to forget how precious your health is until you’re in pain or unwell, but being healthy and strong is incredibly valuable and needs to be appreciated. Illness can be a heavy burden.
Your family and friends: Many people go through life lonely and feeling unloved. If you have people around you who care about you and support you, even if at times they get things wrong, appreciate the blessing of those relationships. Your life is richer because of them.
Your freedom: If you live in a place where you have the ability to choose for yourself, express your opinions, and practice your faith or political affiliations without fear, you are in a privileged position. Your freedom is precious – just imagine life without it.
It’s a sad place to be when you’ve lost something that you’ve taken for granted and not valued while you had the chance. The Bible reminds us to cherish the good, and make use of rest, with these words:
On a good day, enjoy yourself;
On a bad day, examine your conscience.
God arranges for both kinds of days
So that we won’t take anything for granted.