What Would You Do If You Lost Everything?

43 replies
For me, this is no longer a hypothetical question.


The answer is at the bottom of this post.

Everyday I realize something else we've lost and I feel a little more grief. As a writer and an entrepreneur, I keep journals of my thoughts and ideas. For years I have written down my plans for new books, products, inventions and new innovations.
These are not the kinds of things that can be replaced with money. They come from the heart and mind. My son is an artist. He had his equipment, material, supplies and years of accomplished projects. All lost in a single moment.
My daughter had just graduated high-school and was preparing to go to college in the fall. All her special achievement awards, trophies, records and certificates are gone. These things can't be replaced for the most part.
I had libraries of out of print legal books, faith books and many more things that are irreplaceable. There was a brand new foreign language learning course I had just got and never used.
You would think that all your valuables and legal documents would be safe if you stored them in a fire safe. But mine were not. All my bank records for the last 15 years, passport, our birth certificates, land title and abstract, car titles, immigration papers for my fiancee', check books, and much more was in the fire safe and it burned to a crisp. Nothing but ashes.
I realized yesterday we have no more coats, hats or gloves for when it turns cold again. Everything, computers, hard drives, TVs, stereo equipment, appliances, dishes, furniture are all gone. Everything up in smoke.
Everyday I think of something else we don't have anymore. And I grieve a little more.


OKLAHOMA WILDFIRE FUND -- Indiegogo
#lost
  • Profile picture of the author acurren
    Some things can't be replaced
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    • Profile picture of the author SteveSki
      Originally Posted by acurren View Post

      Some things can't be replaced
      It breaks my heart every time one of my portrait clients call or email looking for reprints of portraits of their deceased loved ones. I tell everyone that if they do not purchase the day they view their images that we delete any unsold images that same day, but I also give them the option to pay a $50 refundable deposit for us to back their images up to the cloud.

      This weeds out the liars from the buyers.

      It's shocking how often our handful of non buyers change their minds a
      couple of years down the road due to a fire or other tragedies, mostly
      auto accidents, followed by motorcycle accidents and an occasional suicide.

      Some people just don't value their family portraits until after they suffer a death in the family. They find the money to buy things that will be used up, burnt out, rusted away and in the junk yard within a few years time but a professional portrait of their loved one decorating their living room wall and backuped in the cloud they do not value until its to late.

      Thankfully, Most people will order at least a $500 - $1000 package when they see their images.

      Since you have several artists in your family and you are an entrepreneur and business minded I'd like to gift you a free membership to my photography business site.

      The world is filled with very talented artists and photographers who don't know how to capitalize on their talents. My course will show you how to set up weekend portrait shoots where you can expect to earn over $500 in profits per 30 minute photo session.

      You can get the clients and borrow a camera for the artists in your family and clients for fantasy portraits are everywhere... With my marketing system it's extremely simple, easy and inexpensive to book portraits sessions.

      Next weekend I have 40 sessions booked and I always average well over $500 in profits for each session. That's because most people will want to purchase their images so after you factor in all sales and non buyers then divide by the total number of sessions you can't help but average over $500 in profit per session... and that is after expenses, not gross sales.

      Look over my site and PM me after talking it over with your family.

      Cheers,
      Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author speedbird
    I will not cry if I lose everything. There is no need of crying if you can't get it back. I will dust myself and start again from scratch!
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    • Profile picture of the author acurren
      Originally Posted by speedbird View Post

      I will not cry if I lose everything. There is no need of crying if you can't get it back. I will dust myself and start again from scratch!
      Thanks for your input.

      But how would you get started?
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  • Profile picture of the author KickAss Marketing
    It would really be painful to lose everything, but what has been done has been done and we cannot turn back the hands of time anymore. What matters is we should never give up and we should keep moving on. Material things can easily be replaced but not the people we love.
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    • Profile picture of the author acurren
      Originally Posted by Don Adrian View Post

      It would really be painful to lose everything, but what has been done has been done and we cannot turn back the hands of time anymore. What matters is we should never give up and we should keep moving on. Material things can easily be replaced but not the people we love.
      Yes that's true. How would you move on?
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  • Profile picture of the author Techology
    There is only one way. Work. Offer your services as a writer perhaps? I can see you can write. Your story touched my heart. Position yourself in a unique way. Perhaps position yourself as the best WSO writer on the forum here? Offer to do some free content writing to get some feedback from well known names? Good luck (there is only so much bad luck you can get).
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    • Profile picture of the author acurren
      Originally Posted by Techology View Post

      There is only one way. Work. Offer your services as a writer perhaps? I can see you can write. Your story touched my heart. Position yourself in a unique way. Perhaps position yourself as the best WSO writer on the forum here? Offer to do some free content writing to get some feedback from well known names? Good luck (there is only so much bad luck you can get).
      Actually, what I did was to start a crowdfunding campaign. Did you take a look at what it looks like?
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      ==> Build Your Own Dream Team of Referral Partners Legacy Business Network
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      • Profile picture of the author Techology
        Just saw it Alvin. I would still start writing. You have a story to tell, so you are very fit to do that and get your message out there my friend.
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      • Profile picture of the author Justin Says
        Originally Posted by acurren View Post

        Actually, what I did was to start a crowdfunding campaign. Did you take a look at what it looks like?
        I think the crowdsourcing idea is excellent, especially if you can get it out to a decent amount of people.

        I'm sorry for your loss, I donated $5 to help out, it might not do much, but I'm hoping that maybe you can get a bite to eat or something and relax.
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        My name is Justin Lewis. My digital marketing company has been in business for over 10 years with multiple six-figure years. We do provide a premium web design service.

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  • Profile picture of the author cassandraw
    I would be upset if I lost everything, but I would know it wasn't the end of the world. I would stay with relatives until I could get back on my feet.
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  • Profile picture of the author Gsdlady
    It would be hard, but I would take one step at a time and one day at a time an rebuild. While I have not lost everything I do know the feeling of starting over and losing treasured things in your life. It is not easy and there are hours and even days you feel like totally giving up. Although it can be hard just keep your head up, your heart open and your feet moving forward.
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  • Profile picture of the author FIP
    If I lost everything i'd start again and focus on replacing the things that meant the most to me first.
    The fact is a lot wouldnt be replaced that wasn't necessary because i'd forget that I had it.
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    "If one advances confidently in the direction of his own dreams and endeavours to live the life which he has imagined - he will meet a success unexpected in common hours"
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  • Profile picture of the author rising_sun
    Banned
    Losing everything is very painful. We can't change our past but we can make our future better.So we have to move forward forgetting what happend and thinking about how can we make up for this loss.
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  • Profile picture of the author AlbertGA
    Losing everything is much painful... I can't answer your question sitting in an a.c room.

    Facing problems push us to make decisions.

    "how one can describe hunger,when its not on fasting"
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  • Profile picture of the author mydream111
    Banned
    it gives too much pain when such types of incident occure.if such types of incident occure with me than i will try to get help from my parant.
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    • Profile picture of the author acurren
      Well, as it turns out, I did 2 things; I went to live at my sister's house while she is traveling in her artist business. She and her husband will return in middle September. Then I will stay with my mom. My two kids that were living with me, are staying with my oldest married daughter.

      I did also start a funding campaign as you can see below.

      This is new to me but if it becomes a success, I would be happy to share what I did to make it so. If you contribute at least $5, I will put you on the update list of my progress and show you how I created and ran the funding campaign.


      Crowd Funding Campaign
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      ==> Build Your Own Dream Team of Referral Partners Legacy Business Network
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  • Profile picture of the author Erica Leggette
    I'm sorry for your lost & I look forward to you pulling through this. I've lost everything (material) before too and it seemed like every time I looked up, there was something else I remembered was lost in the fire.

    The only thing that saved me from falling into a hole of misery was the fact that some of the most irreplaceable things in our home when the fire started was ok, without any harm done to them.. My child, my grandma, and my nieces & nephews
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    Be easy.


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  • Profile picture of the author jenmidas
    As for me, I will pray for Allah's guidance.
    Sit and reflect.
    Plan and and execute.

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  • Profile picture of the author JingQuimPo
    Start over again is the best answer..
    Go live with relatives will probably my best choice of the four.
    We're a very close family but won't stay there for long.
    Need to get back up

    Jing Quimpo
    Chinese Proverb
    “A crisis is an opportunity riding the dangerous wind.
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  • Profile picture of the author samsheril
    We should not feel for the past what has happened,only think about the future.Rest God will look after.
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  • Profile picture of the author Debra Barrow
    Acurren,

    I am sorry to read that you and your family have experienced this tragedy. I know you're thankful that everyone is ok. Yes, losses can be painful; even material ones that cannot be replaced.. During this recession, many families have lost much, too. Maybe not through a fire, but in other ways.

    Start with focusing on what you didn't lose, like your lives. Also, concentrate on staying healthy. Get regular exercise and eat healthy foods. Being mentally and physically fit will help to keep you energetic and feeling positive for the future.

    PS. You really didn't lose everything; you still have the people you love around you.
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    • Profile picture of the author Daniel Evans
      I hate to admit it, but I'd depend upon government support and I'd more or less demand it given that I've been paying into National Insurance for most of my life.

      Daniel
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  • Profile picture of the author Connie Lim
    I'm not sure what will I do if I lost everything...but really salute and respect them who can go through it, never give up and keep moving on!

    Agreed with Debra that you still have the people you love around you.....

    Cheers
    Connie Lim
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  • Profile picture of the author OmarNegron
    Many people have already said many encouraging things. It is true you must keep going but I do understand when life hits us it is not easy to get up once again since we begin to question life itself and if it is even worth giving it all you got only to get hit again.

    The thing with life though if you decide to give up and do nothing, life will keep going and leave you behind. As painful as it is there is no sense in doing nothing but simply give yourself time to think and see how you want to start over fresh.

    Loss of family member is something I agree one cannot and will not ever get over and forget, but material stuff which we have a sentimental attachment to will not matter years down the road. (painful yes but nothing like the loss of a love one).

    Wishing you the best!

    - Willox
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  • Profile picture of the author susanc
    I think it's great that you are taking action instead of just just sulking and crying over your loss. That shows that you are on your way to recovery.

    Sometimes we lose things to make room for more and better things in life.

    Maybe, aside from the Fundraising campaign, you can also offer writing gigs in fiver or other sites that can use your talent....just to tide things over.

    Good luck with your campaign.

    Wishing you all the best,

    Susanc
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  • Profile picture of the author glavilla
    If I lost everything I have I will do is to accept that because I believe that only God can take away everything to us. If that's happened I know that God's plan it and I know that there are purpose why he takes away everything for me.
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  • Profile picture of the author acurren
    Thanks for the words of encouragement y'all. I have started an online business service that of course includes writing. So things are really starting to look up.

    Here is my site ==> Promotion Creatives
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    ==> Build Your Own Dream Team of Referral Partners Legacy Business Network
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  • Profile picture of the author Odahh
    all your stuff .. might not be able to be replaced .. but it looks like your kids are grown and starting their own lives .. and all of you are safe ..

    I myself do to a job loss back injury and a few other problems .. have lost everything and i am trying to restart my life ..but it has forced me to shake of the template of the life society told me i should try and have .

    now you have had the house where you raised a family.. and by the looks of it did a very good job .. but they are raised ..and starting their own lives .. and you have had the door on that part of your life slammed shut and sealed ..

    now i am an annoying pest some times ..

    I can not help you financially .. but the answer i can give .. Is sense you seem to be a creative type person .. you are free to do anything you and your fience want to do .. it is hard to lose all the things you have worked for .. but they are things ..and you still have the memories without the things .. but you also still have your loved ones ..which is what really matters ..

    now do you do it again you seem 40 ish i hate to guess .. but do you spend time building a house and working to fill it with stuff .. only to risk that in this crazy world it can be gone in a flash ..all of it .. the weather is crazy everywhere .. and mother nature has been getting good at destroying stuff while keeping the number of people deaths low for the amount of destruction ..

    now that you have lost everything ..and you are starting over stuff wise .. and you may have 60+ more years ahead of you maybe even 160 ..what will you do long term .. there is no path any more to give you a list of shoulds .

    for me i have myself a wife picked out .. once i can get my income going to where i can move and live in a nice little beach house in the Philippines..

    so i guess the answer to your question.. is that will really depend on what you want to do now that you have lost everything ..all your stuff anyway ...

    but i am a pest
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    • Profile picture of the author SteveSki
      Originally Posted by Odahh View Post


      now do you do it again you seem 40 ish i hate to guess .. but do you spend time building a house and working to fill it with stuff .. only to risk that in this crazy world it can be gone in a flash ..all of it .. the weather is crazy everywhere .. and mother nature has been getting good at destroying stuff while keeping the number of people deaths low for the amount of destruction
      This is so true. Most people slave away most of their life to pay for all of the things they think they need. After finally paying off the mortgage they retire expecting to live the same life style on half the income if they are lucky enough to have enough savings and good health to enjoy it with.

      Like Odahh suggests.... You do not need half the stuff you think you do. Consider trading the big house in for a tiny house. For $20,000 you can build something pretty nice (check out Tiny House Blog - Living Simply in Small Spaces) and put all of the money you saved on not having a mortgage into your IRA or 401K.

      Cheers,
      Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author Delsworld
    It's not Material things that matter, it's what you do with your life while your alive that matters. Unfortunately, sometimes it takes a tragedy to realize that.
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  • Profile picture of the author Nino
    Acurren... Although I can't really understand how you are feeling and I can't give you an exact advice on what to do next, i can still suggest something and share a story with you, and my personal story (if you might find something useful in it).

    I suggest you focus on the future, not on the past. I suggest to think that the bad news actually means good news (i know it might be extremly hard) but pull yourself together.

    Here's the story i heard from Tony Robbins: There was a guy who got to a fortune of 500 million dollars in 20-30 years. After 1 single mistake he ends up being 55 and 1 million in debt. In the next 5 years he goes and builds a 1 billion $ fortune. If he didn't lose everything he would have never achieved this level.

    The numbers aren't exact but close to accurate.

    What to take from the story?
    If you already lost everything then now you can do anything! Go out there and build something bigger than before (to never look back at what you had). And the most important: focus on your strong points and your current relationships!

    As an entrepreneur myself i also have notes that even if I don't check them daily i have a spot where i know they are. I always asked myself how nuts would i become if i would lose them....

    My story?(This is a real story)

    Sure i have one.... too big to tell here but shortly: I lost my father in a very tragic work incident when i was 14.... i went on trying to work on myself and my future...

    at one time I was buying plastic cans and selling them in one of my relatives store... made some profit (nothing to sleep on)... forword 4 years i made around 2k in one month from affiliate marketing , 10k in one year, forward another year or so after I was expecting to buy myself a bmw e60 after making around 20k in another business... life was good... but i lost everything and ended up in over 2k in debt after trying a business...

    Fast forward again: i made around 10-15k online in the last year or so and i've tested A LOT of stuff...and i mean a lot ... stuff that helped me understand some things and learn some things. This last journey started with 1 step when I was really lost... I can also add that i've started some not-online related stuff (beekeeping) and i already got a good infusion of income.

    The rest?
    To be continued.... I'm only 24.

    If i can help you with anything just ask me.... Look forward!
    Make 1 step but have the vision.

    Nino
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  • Profile picture of the author SafeSEOService
    Before I could tel U what I would do if I loose everything in my life, I would 1st think what has made me loose everything in life. I would see for that I dont repeat it again and do everything possible to get what I have lost.. Nice question..
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  • Profile picture of the author successproducts
    Not sure what to do if I lose everything but I know there is one thing I always have and it's my personal relationship with God. From there it's where I will start again.
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  • Profile picture of the author wpthemedesk
    First of all I would get hurting feelings and feel lonely. Then would worry about getting back all that things again. But with time we naturally forget all problems if we get back on hard work
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  • Profile picture of the author betterwtveter
    I had a friend that lost everything in a house fire, but all he did was not look at the past but focus on the future to find whatever mean necessary to get back on his feet. Never give up and there will always be a way to make it through.
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  • Profile picture of the author chukster
    If I lost everything I will mourn and be in despair for a while then I will eventually start process to rebuild everything I lost again
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    • Profile picture of the author nipsyr
      Take some time to grieve. It seems society is so callous these days, it doesn't want you to feel anything for more than a day or two and then you are supposed to just "get over it".


      I didn't not lose everything like you did but did experienced our home being burgled and they took my laptop and video camera which had my wedding photos and video on it. The video is gone forever. It was very upsetting.

      I agree with the idea of writing about it. You have a story to tell.

      Best wishes and I put your fundraiser up on my social sites.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mitchell H
    If i still had the people I love around me then I would be okay. Without them life would be much harder, but I would have to pick myself up and keep living life and make every moment count.
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  • Profile picture of the author TimK06
    First thing I would do is thank god me and my family are still here an praise him for his grace and who he is!

    Next, i'd take a minute to come back to reality and think now I'm already here. This has already happened to us. How do I move forward from this point?

    Then I'm definitely hitting the internet if it's a option and looking for people who have overcome similar situations and seeing what they did to bounce back. I'd take a little of their stories and make my own and hit the ground running.

    I wish you all the best and keep your head up and keep moving forward
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  • Profile picture of the author therenegadeleader
    Its natural to feel grief at times of disaster like this. But you don't have a choice right? But to fight and get up again.
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  • moving on and start it again.. there is no limit in success..
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