Juan David's Newsletter - August 8, 2021
The Slipping Gratefulness
Hello hello,
No one knows what they have until the day they lose it.
Oftentimes, think about how certain decisions could have turned out in parallel universes.
Last week, I wrote about the Facade of College and Optionality, and throughout the week I reflected on that idea because while the situation isn’t perfect, I’m still in a pretty good spot.
In a parallel universe, I’d still be living back in Venezuela where I wouldn't be studying, or even having the tools or ability to write this essay. Not to mention the fact of the high chance of being buried in a grave somewhere.
But yet, I seem to forget those very real parallel universes. I get used to my surroundings and neglect the opportunity to appreciate where I am and how far I’ve come.
This is what I call “The Slipping Gratefulness.” This isn’t only me, this is something I’ve realized that happens over and over again in the history of humanity.
It’s our ability to be forgetful about the past, getting used to the present, and wanting more in the future. In this process, we fail to remember the importance of being grateful.
I won’t say being grateful will make you happy, and those sort of things you’d read in pop-science books. But I want to offer you a perspective to start appreciating things now before you lose them.
No one knows what they have until the day they lose it. When we lose it, then we’ll realize how much more we could’ve done and how much more we wish we had done.
But why do we wait until we lose those opportunities or until time runs out?
NONSENSE!
How can we solve this? Let me give you an example.
In my case, I can avoid The Slipping Gratefulness by remembering my parallel universes, appreciating the smallest of things like the squirrels running across campus or conversations with people, and doing everything with 100% effort.
The latter is one is the most intentional action you can do because when you’re giving it your all, you’re forced to understand why you’re doing it. When this happens, you can only be more grateful.
Semper Gratus,
Juan David Campolargo
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