When memories of a loved one arise
and threaten our peace of mind,
avoid the snare of sadness.
Often, when we least expect it, something will trigger a memory of a loved one who is no longer in our lives.
Instead of being saddened by feelings of loss, we can appreciate and learn from those memories. We don’t have to remain caught up in grief, regretting how our time together wasn’t longer or how we wasted so much of the time we had
We can instead choose to feel gratitude, reminding ourselves how fortunate we were to have had the person in our life as long as we did.
Instead of regretting how we have no way of replacing the person, we can realize the wisdom in the teachings—that it was our conditions that helped bring about her presence in our current lifetime. Aware of how conditions are the results of good seeds planted in previous lives, we can be more vigilant of the seeds we plant now.
So instead of being grieved by our loss, let it inspire us.
Article originally appeared on a buddhist perspective (http://www.abuddhistperspective.org/).
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