I have been fortunate enough to parent two kids and foster two other kitties for a month. It seems to me there is only one difference between the self-preservation nature of all living organisms and humans.

It is merely the priceless wisdom to which only self-aware folks have access. Instead of fearing the loss and becoming anxious and resentful — the primitive and survival way of dealing with life, we can understand that:

• We are not entitled to anything the Universe has to offer,
• Every person can exist today in our world and disappear tomorrow,
• We will all die at some point or what the stoics call “Momento Mori”: being mindful of the truth of death.

Developing the capacity of detachment is what liberates us from the heaviness of anxiety and resentment. Furthermore, it leaves enough room for the genuine love we may gift to the whole Universe!