Taking for Granted

Parents.

Friends.

Teachers.

Life.

We take so many things for granted in life and including life itself. Thinking that we will wake up the next day when in fact, we humans are essentially perishables with an expiry date and waiting to die. And you can die as you read this blog, I can die before I finish writing this blog — so if i finish writing this blog and publish it probably means that I’m still very much blessed with the gift of life.

But of course, besides life, it is the people around us that we take for granted.

At times, we often don’t realise we are taking people for granted. At times, we are just so used to having that person always around for us, always present to meet our every needs. And that has deluded us into a false sense of security that we can always rely on them, becoming the precedent for taking people for granted.

We only realise that we take them for granted when they are no longer around. When we scour high and low for them, but they are just nowhere to be found.

It is in human nature to take people for granted. After all, it is also human nature to find a replacement to fill the void when that object or person is gone.

Why do we take people for granted ?

How do we take people for granted ?

Taking people for granted stems from the presupposition that one will always be around.

When you suddenly reach out for that person, finding out that he/she is no longer there at your back and call, will definitely cause some form of panic and anxiety. This should be when the sudden realisation that you are taking people for granted hits you, although, this might not be the case for some.

Sometimes, taking people for granted originates from the fact or knowledge that they are easily replaceable. Some people take comfort in this knowledge that humans are dispensable. This is true, to some extent, and is the status quo, where the world will still continue on without you even if one day you disappeared off the face of the earth.

There are various reasons as to why we take people for granted, which then begs the question as to whether or not taking people for granted should be allowed in extenuating circumstances. Perhaps, in these cases, it should not be termed as “taking people for granted” but rather comparing yourself to the world at large, you are merely another insignificant human being that the world can function without. This may sound inscrutable for some.

I am sure that everyone of us, including myself, are guilty of taking people for granted. Although we know that it is clearly wrong to do so, it is in our nature to continue doing it, despite the countless reminders that we may (or may not) receive from those around us.

Generally, as a rule of thumb, it is in my opinion that we should never take anyone for granted. Be it your family members, your loved ones, your colleagues. While you may do it unwittingly, it is a good practice to take a step back and review your relationships to see if & how you are taking others for granted. Of course, you should also protect yourself from being taken for granted as well.

Essentially, nobody likes to feel insignificant and unappreciated.

~ A.