I lost my bracelet yesterday.

My sister gave me a diamond bracelet a month ago in honor of my engagement. I got a lot of presents in February but this one was my favorite. It was delicate, beautiful and my sister gave it to me. I can't tell you how sad I've been since I realized it was missing.

Earlier this week, I bought myself a swatch. My friend Michelle took me to the store cause she collects them and she got the idea in my mind. Two days later, I went back and bought myself one. It's a skin swatch, one of the new James Bond series. It cost me 75 dollars.

After I bought the watch, I agonized over it endlessly. I already had a great watch, did I really need another? Weren't there better ways to spend my 75 bucks? I won't making a lot of money next year and it was really spendthrift of me to blow it over a watch. Especially when I already have one. I can't tell you how much time I spent worrying about this new purchase.

I came home and asked Jake if I should keep it. I called two friends and listened to lectures on what a total dork I am and how I should, of course, keep the watch and stop worrying about it. I deserve the watch, they persisted. Stop thinking about it, they insisted. You are insane, they laughed.

I was still slightly worried but I kept the watch. I've been wearing it since Tuesday and I love it. But I didn't truly stop worrying about it until I lost the bracelet last night. The watch was 75 dollars, the diamond bracelet: several hundred. Not to mention the sentimental values attached to it, which are irreplaceable.

It's amazing how it takes something major to put one's life in perspective. Why does it take a disaster for us to realize the value of our lives? How come we need a family death or illness to bring us closer? Why do we need a terrible excuse to be nicer to our fellow men?

Did I really have to lose my bracelet to stop worrying about the watch?

I think we, humans, lack perspective all too often.

Previously? No Strings Attached.