---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When you're in danger of losing a thing…"
description: "\"When you're in danger of losing a thing it becomes precious and when it's around us, it's in tedious abundance and we take it for granted as if we're g..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/542/john-mcgahern-11742_abundance_when-you-re-in-danger-of-losing-a-thing_1012985.jpg"
---

#  When you're in danger of losing a thing it becomes…

![“When you're in danger of losing a thing it becomes precious and when it's around us, it's in tedious abundance and we take it for granted as if we're going to live forever, which we're not.” quote by John McGahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/542/john-mcgahern-11742_abundance_when-you-re-in-danger-of-losing-a-thing_1012985.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/542/john-mcgahern-11742_abundance_when-you-re-in-danger-of-losing-a-thing_1012985.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/542/john-mcgahern-11742_abundance_when-you-re-in-danger-of-losing-a-thing_1012985.jpg)

> “When you're in danger of losing a thing it becomes precious and when it's around us, it's in tedious abundance and we take it for granted as if we're going to live forever, which we're not.”

[John McGahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcgahern/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

When something is threatened, we cherish it; when it feels abundant, we take it for granted, forgetting mortality.

**In simple terms:** Fear of loss makes us value things; abundance breeds complacency.

Key Takeaway

Appreciate what you have before it’s gone.

Themes

mortality gratitude impermanence value

Mood

reflective gentle inspirational

Type

advice philosophical

When to use this quote

- relationships
- health
- time management
- personal growth

Key Concepts

existential awareness psychology of scarcity mindfulness

Questions to Reflect On

- How can we maintain appreciation for everyday blessings?
- What practices help counteract taking things for granted?

A Different Perspective

Complacency can lead to loss of appreciation.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Abundance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abundance/) [Danger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/danger/) [Live forever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/live-forever/)

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