(no subject)

[hummingwolf]

Why is it so often the case that losing something we value hurts less than losing the dream of something better?

Comments

[stronae.livejournal.com]

Actually, it does make me wonder.

Well, for me at least, it usually goes back to potential, and existence. I'm a mathematician, so simply the knowledge that a certain event *can* happen is often enough to keep me going, even if it's not going to happen for some time. The potential is there, so I can console myself to wait for it, or work harder for it.

Once the dream is gone, though, then so goes hope, and thus the (perceived) loss of potential. No matter what I do, a given event will no longer happen. Now the scope of reality has been curtailed, and I'm forced to work in a slightly smaller universe. As a side effect, it might start a chain reaction of realizing that a whole field of events will no longer be possible with the disappearance of the first one.

Sorry this is late. Take care.