In Alice Munro's "Runaway," the quote emphasizes that life's challenges and events can often overshadow smaller issues, making them feel trivial in comparison. The idea is that as people navigate through various situations, they will encounter circumstances that provoke deeper emotional responses, pushing minor worries to the back of their minds.

Furthermore, the acknowledgment of the capacity to feel guilt over other matters suggests that life is filled with complexities and emotional turmoil. It highlights the human tendency to fixate on certain troubles while larger challenges can evoke far more significant feelings, illustrating the dynamic nature of our emotional landscape.