In "A Lost Opportunity," Tolstoy critiques the way that individuals often squander opportunities that could lead to personal growth and development. He argues that we often let these opportunities slip through our fingers because we're too busy chasing after things that don't really matter. Tolstoy believes that if we would just slow down and take the time to reflect on our lives, we would be able to see these lost opportunities for what they are and make the necessary changes to seize them.