The goals you set for yourself in life are limited by the environment, experience and by what others choose for you (family, friends).
It usually takes a dramatic event for the right path to be revealed. Life will show you the things that matter. A slap on the face and you will wake up from what you were programmed to do.
You always see a loss like a bad thing. But after a while you might realise that it was probably the best thing that could have happen to you. If you are too attached to people you love, places you go, things you have, you will always be afraid of change, because you think you're gonna lose them.
But, when it happens...when it hits you harder than you could have ever imagined, you suddenly realise there's no fear anymore. The moment the worst happens, you feel free. You have nothing to lose.