The Seed of a Loss
Every loss carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit. The deprivation of a treasured material possession, the loss of an excellent job, even the bereavement of a loved person are all painful experiences which overwhelm us with feelings of anger, fear, and sadness. Yet contained within each obstacle are opportunities to assuage these emotions and the chance to re-evaluate previous physical dependencies and behavioral patterns in order to encourage one to develop a new trait or a personal relationship. The universal law that "when one door closes, another one opens" is not always immediately obvious, because the person struggling to find his way focuses all of his energy on the closed door. To reopen it is not productive because this withered, fruitless attempt would lead only to fragmented pieces of the past, which in the meantime has changed. The way leading to the golden opportunities of personal success and happiness lies in one's abilities to grasp the present, pass through the barrier that his own inadequacies pose on him, and stride with determination in the direction of his dreams.
(The original painting is from the private collection of Josef Walchhofer of Madison, Virginia.)
Reproductions are available in our gift shop.
Every loss carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit. The deprivation of a treasured material possession, the loss of an excellent job, even the bereavement of a loved person are all painful experiences which overwhelm us with feelings of anger, fear, and sadness. Yet contained within each obstacle are opportunities to assuage these emotions and the chance to re-evaluate previous physical dependencies and behavioral patterns in order to encourage one to develop a new trait or a personal relationship. The universal law that "when one door closes, another one opens" is not always immediately obvious, because the person struggling to find his way focuses all of his energy on the closed door. To reopen it is not productive because this withered, fruitless attempt would lead only to fragmented pieces of the past, which in the meantime has changed. The way leading to the golden opportunities of personal success and happiness lies in one's abilities to grasp the present, pass through the barrier that his own inadequacies pose on him, and stride with determination in the direction of his dreams.
(The original painting is from the private collection of Josef Walchhofer of Madison, Virginia.)
Reproductions are available in our gift shop.
