"You don't know what you got 'til it's gone"

This phrase has been a reoccurring theme lately. Maybe more heightened during the holidays when we are more keenly aware of our families, friends, and precious people in our lives. But it causes me to pause and consider its meaning. Why don't we know what we "got 'til it's gone?" 

Perhaps we take our lives and people for granted? Maybe we don't appreciate the relationships or treasured belongings that we have? From my experience in therapy, it seems that we get caught up in our daily lives, often sweating the small stuff, that we forget to take time out to value what is, what we have in plain sight. When it's gone, the reality sets in and it hurts. Grief takes over. We spend time wishing, regretting, feeling heart broken. 

Take time to appreciate what we have today and talk, share, be open with those you love, even if it hurts. Time invested today leads to fewer regrets and self-fulfillment later. While we have little control over what happens in life, we do have control over how we live our lives today.

~Nancy Shertok, MSW, LCSW psychotherapist