To Lose...

That gut wrenching ache. Mind racing. Heart Pumping. The only thought...'Where is it?' I have had a problem for a while that I always seem to forget things or lose them. It's one of the scariest feelings when you can't find something. Whatever it is (your homework, textbook, jacket, cell phone, entire purse, or laptop) makes you want to break down in tears. The best you can do is search. Every place you went you check every crack or crevice to see where it could have fallen into. Once the search is over and you've found it...I don't think the word relief is enough to explain how unbelievably happy and relaxed you are. But if not...you have to ask every friend where they have seen it, meaning you have to admit you've lost it. If this is the end of the road for you, you feel completely indebted to your friend that your 'thank-yous' won't end for another 24 hours. If no one knows, there's the lost and found on every floor of the school you must go through. If it's here, you feel some pride that you've worked so hard to get something back and it has finally paid off. If not, hope seems almost lost. Now you have to forgive yourself and not beat yourself up about it. If it's gone, it's gone. Sadly, if it was that important, you will always be on the lookout and hoping to find it, even though the chances are slim. The real way to find something is to prevent losing it in the first place. It's the only part of the equation that you really have responsibility for. As my mother always tells me, whenever you leave a room, check your vicinity. Make sure you've picked up everything. Also, check yourself. If there is some sort of weather abnormality, you want to make sure your prepared. There's also the fact that you don't want to walk anywhere naked. People usually loose things in the first place because they are moving too fast and aren't thinking. As I stress for the millionth time, I want everyone to just SLOW DOWN and take some time to relax. For sure, your percentage of losing ANYTHING will decrease. If only I could take my own advice...