--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: For loss is our common denominator. None…" description: "\"“For loss is our common denominator. None of us will escape it. None of us will outrun death. What do we do in the space between that is our lives? Wha..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/045/elizabeth-alexander-45642_common-denominator_for-loss-is-our-common-denominator-none_1051323.jpg" --- # For loss is our common denominator. None of us will escape… ![“For loss is our common denominator. None of us will escape it. None of us will outrun death. What do we do in the space between that is our lives? What is the quality and richness of our lives? How do we move through struggle and let community hold us when we have been laid low? This” quote by Elizabeth Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/045/elizabeth-alexander-45642_common-denominator_for-loss-is-our-common-denominator-none_1051323.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/045/elizabeth-alexander-45642_common-denominator_for-loss-is-our-common-denominator-none_1051323.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/045/elizabeth-alexander-45642_common-denominator_for-loss-is-our-common-denominator-none_1051323.jpg) > ““For loss is our common denominator. None of us will escape it. None of us will outrun death. What do we do in the space between that is our lives? What is the quality and richness of our lives? How do we move through struggle and let community hold us when we have been laid low? This”” [Elizabeth Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-alexander/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Loss is universal; we must confront mortality and find meaning, community, and resilience amid struggle. **In simple terms:** Everyone faces loss; seek meaning and community. Key Takeaway Find purpose and support despite hardship. Themes mortality community resilience meaning struggle Mood somber hopeful determined Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - grief counseling - team building - personal growth - mental health - spiritual practice Key Concepts existentialism social support psychology Questions to Reflect On - What personal practices help you find meaning after loss? - How can you support others while honoring your own grief? A Different Perspective The emphasis on community may overlook individual coping differences. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Common denominator](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/common-denominator/) [Community](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/community/) [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Loss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loss/) [Struggle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/struggle/) ## Related quotes > [That loss is common would not make My own less bitter, rather more: Too common! Never morning wore To evening, but some heart did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/that-loss-is-common-would-not-make-my-own-less-bitter-rather-more-too/) [Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/) > [It may be argued that the past is a country from which we have all emigrated, that its loss is part of our common…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/it-may-be-argued-that-the-past-is-a-country-from-which-we-have-all/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) > [There is a real danger of the United Kingdom breaking up. There is a loss of common identity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-davies/there-is-a-real-danger-of-the-united-kingdom-breaking-up-there-is-a/) [Norman Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-davies/) > [“But the thought we try to deny Take a toll upon our lives We struggle on in depths of pride Tangled up in single…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tonya-hurley/but-the-thought-we-try-to-deny-take-a-toll-upon-our-lives-we-struggle/) [Tonya Hurley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tonya-hurley/) > [Because we have suffered, and we are not afraid to suffer in order to survive, we are ready to give up everything - even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-chavez/because-we-have-suffered-and-we-are-not-afraid-to-suffer-in-order-to/) [Cesar Chavez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-chavez/) > [We're all different; we all have our ways of understanding ourselves and the way we live our lives and struggle with our humanity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blase-j-cupich/we-re-all-different-we-all-have-our-ways-of-understanding-ourselves/) [Blase J. Cupich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blase-j-cupich/) > [Animals do not ‘give’ their life to us, as the sugar-coated lie would have it. No, we take their lives. They struggle and fight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-robbins/animals-do-not-give-their-life-to-us-as-the-sugar-coated-lie-would/) [John Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-robbins/) > [Every one of us at some point in our lives has had the struggle with identity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-golding/every-one-of-us-at-some-point-in-our-lives-has-had-the-struggle-with/) [Henry Golding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-golding/) > [Embrace the struggle and let it make you stronger. It won't last forever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-gaskins/embrace-the-struggle-and-let-it-make-you-stronger-it-won-t-last/) [Tony Gaskins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-gaskins/) > [I would rather struggle to get everything I have than to let someone give it to me I never want to hear the words…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nix-mae/i-would-rather-struggle-to-get-everything-i-have-than-to-let-someone/) [Nix Mae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nix-mae/) > [Let me not then die ingloriously and without a struggle, but let me first do some great thing that shall be told among men…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/let-me-not-then-die-ingloriously-and-without-a-struggle-but-let-me/) [Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/) > [“We’re all going through shit. Each one of us, in our own way. Let’s remember that, when we see each other on the street,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-stabile/we-re-all-going-through-shit-each-one-of-us-in-our-own-way-let-s/) [Scott Stabile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-stabile/) > [Persevere in the fight, struggle on, do not let go, think magnanimously of man and life, for man is good and life is affluent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luc-de-clapiers/persevere-in-the-fight-struggle-on-do-not-let-go-think-magnanimously/) [Luc de Clapiers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luc-de-clapiers/) > [Never let your emotions ruined your life instead learn to struggle it and let it pass by it's own way. Someday, you'll realized how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jehan-fostanes-nayga/never-let-your-emotions-ruined-your-life-instead-learn-to-struggle-it/) [Jehan Fostanes Nayga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jehan-fostanes-nayga/) > [“There is no need to search . . . achievement leads nowhere . . . makes no difference at all. Just be happy now.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-millman/there-is-no-need-to-search-achievement-leads-nowhere-makes-no/) [Dan Millman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-millman/) ## More by Elizabeth Alexander > [“Poetry is what you find in the dirt in the corner, overhear on the bus, God in the details, the only way to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-alexander/poetry-is-what-you-find-in-the-dirt-in-the-corner-overhear-on-the-bus/) [Elizabeth Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-alexander/) > [“It is the beginning and the end of the astrological calendar, and so it is said that children born on March 21 are ancient…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-alexander/it-is-the-beginning-and-the-end-of-the-astrological-calendar-and-so/) [Elizabeth Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-alexander/) > [“What if the mightiest word is love, love beyond marital, filial, national. Love that casts a widening pool of light. Love with no need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-alexander/what-if-the-mightiest-word-is-love-love-beyond-marital-filial/) [Elizabeth Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-alexander/) > [“...now I know my capacity for awe is infinite: this thirst is permanent, the well bottomless, my good fortune vast.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-alexander/now-i-know-my-capacity-for-awe-is-infinite-this-thirst-is-permanent/) [Elizabeth Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-alexander/) > [“Each of us made it possible for the other. We got something done. Each believed in the other unsurpassingly. In all marriages there is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-alexander/each-of-us-made-it-possible-for-the-other-we-got-something-done-each/) [Elizabeth Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-alexander/) > [“In simplicity is such guiding truth. I turn again to the spirituals. “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine” could also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-alexander/in-simplicity-is-such-guiding-truth-i-turn-again-to-the-spirituals/) [Elizabeth Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-alexander/) > [“Flowers live, they are perfect and they affect us; they are God’s glory, they make us know why we are alive and human, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-alexander/flowers-live-they-are-perfect-and-they-affect-us-they-are-god-s-glory/) [Elizabeth Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-alexander/) > [“Using the voice is a physical act, one that first announces the existence of the body of residence and then trumpets its arrival in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-alexander/using-the-voice-is-a-physical-act-one-that-first-announces-the/) [Elizabeth Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-alexander/) [Explore all 9 Elizabeth Alexander quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-alexander/) ## More Common denominator quotes > [“Yet the flip side of the coin was all the positive literature about radium. As early as 1914, specialists knew that radium could deposit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-moore/yet-the-flip-side-of-the-coin-was-all-the-positive-literature-about/) [Kate Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-moore/) > [Even if it's just a little thing, something like a song, there's still that sort of common language, that common denominator that we can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonas-carpignano/even-if-it-s-just-a-little-thing-something-like-a-song-there-s-still/) [Jonas Carpignano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonas-carpignano/) > [“Der kleinste gemeinsame Nenner ist ein Klumpen Dreck, an den sich alle klammern müssen. // The lowest common denominator is a piece of dirt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/der-kleinste-gemeinsame-nenner-ist-ein-klumpen-dreck-an-den-sich-alle/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [As long as our culture continues to fawn over its downward-aspiring lowest common denominators, the United States will remain a social and political punch…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-beal/as-long-as-our-culture-continues-to-fawn-over-its-downward-aspiring/) [Anthony Beal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-beal/) > [The common denominator is that we all need help.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judah-smith/the-common-denominator-is-that-we-all-need-help/) [Judah Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judah-smith/) > [A lot of times, women complain about men around them. It's not always someone else's fault. If you're the common denominator in 57 different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karrine-steffans/a-lot-of-times-women-complain-about-men-around-them-it-s-not-always/) [Karrine Steffans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karrine-steffans/) > [I'm an anarchist. I'm implacably opposed to heirarchical systems of power and control. I also mistrust crowds, as they often operate according to their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-self/i-m-an-anarchist-i-m-implacably-opposed-to-heirarchical-systems-of/) [Will Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-self/) > [Actually I'm more culturally Muslim than religiously but being Muslim is an important part of my identity. As Muslim, I feel it's important to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aasif-mandvi/actually-i-m-more-culturally-muslim-than-religiously-but-being-muslim/) [Aasif Mandvi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aasif-mandvi/) > [There is something powerful in the whispering of obscenities, about those in power. There's something delightful about it, something naughty, secretive, forbidden, thrilling. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/there-is-something-powerful-in-the-whispering-of-obscenities-about/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [We have almost succeeded in leveling all human activities to the common denominator of securing the necessities of life and providing for their abundance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-arendt/we-have-almost-succeeded-in-leveling-all-human-activities-to-the/) [Hannah Arendt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-arendt/) > [Yeah, I think the common denominator - and this is probably going to sound like Acting 101 - but the common denominator is belief…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenna-elfman/yeah-i-think-the-common-denominator-and-this-is-probably-going-to/) [Jenna Elfman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenna-elfman/) > [“Time and suffering are inseperable. In life, as in physics, both are the common denominator of all experiences.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-dutton/time-and-suffering-are-inseperable-in-life-as-in-physics-both-are-the/) [Christopher Dutton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-dutton/) > [Most of the time people are aiming so low on television. They're trying to reach that common denominator, especially on network television.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-mcdermott/most-of-the-time-people-are-aiming-so-low-on-television-they-re/) [Dylan McDermott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-mcdermott/) > [Photography appears to be an easy activity; in fact it is a varied and ambiguous process in which the only common denominator among its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-cartier-bresson/photography-appears-to-be-an-easy-activity-in-fact-it-is-a-varied-and/) [Henri Cartier-Bresson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-cartier-bresson/) > [People are the common denominator of progress. So... no improvement is possible with unimproved people, and advance is certain when people are liberated and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kenneth-galbraith/people-are-the-common-denominator-of-progress-so-no-improvement-is/) [John Kenneth Galbraith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kenneth-galbraith/) [Browse all 295 Common denominator quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/common-denominator/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“For loss is our common denominator. None of us will escape it. None of us will outrun death. What do we do in the space between that is our lives? What is the quality and richness of our lives? How do we move through struggle and let community hold us when we have been laid low? 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