Your life matters! I’m sure you know that – but in case you’ve forgotten, here’s a reminder.
Last week I got one of the most thoughtful birthday gifts I have ever received. An old friend took the trouble of writing me a long, long letter and sending it to me beautifully presented in a folder. We’ve know each other for almost a lifetime and she wrote about the many times we had laughed and cried together. She went on to thank me for things that I had said to her and had done for her that she recalled, many of which I had forgotten about. What made the gift special was her thoughtfulness, the trouble she took to express her love and friendship and the surprise at receiving it. But what really made the gift outstanding was the message it reinforced for me, which said: YOUR LIFE MATTERS.
I remember watching one of Gary Zukav‘s interviews on the Oprah show in which he was asked about his thoughts on suicide. He replied that although we have free will, if someone takes their own life, there are consequences they may not realize. He said: “One day in the future someone will walk into a room and find you’re not there. ‘Where is he?’ she’ll say to herself? Why is he not here?'” Zukav was implying that someone else will miss out on the soul connection he or she was meant to have with you.
In simple words: You life matters much more than you will ever realize.
Just thinking about this truth, makes me want to live a better, fuller life. It makes me want to get out of bed and go be Me – the best Me I can be. For, often unbeknownst to me, I am making a difference to someone, somewhere. And so are You.
Do you believe that your life matters? If you don’t, you’d better believe it starting now!
May you be inspired – every day!
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Nice reminder. Letters are almost non-existent today. I used to write a lot of letters before. I told about this to my daughter. She and her cousin exchanged a hand written letter…they both were ecstatic. In fact, they were wondering what to write and how to fill the page. They spend hours together on the mobile….so, told them to write down what they actually talk about. That did it. Now, have to see whether they continue this habit.
I’m glad you encouraged your daughter and niece to write again – there something so precious about letters that we seem to have lost. I want to take it up again, maybe next year!
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Your Life Matters
Corinne, I always felt very lucky to have met you for I dont see any reason why we did not for so long. Today when I am feeling so let down by everyone around me including myself your this post brings a huge smile on my face…thank you so much for being that messenger that He wanted me to read…loads of love 🙂
May your tribe increase! ~ Amen
Privy Trifles recently posted..Sunday Scribblings: He, She & It
I’m so glad we connected when we did, Me. I guess there’s always a ‘right’ time for everything. I’m glad this post spoke to you. Your life matters immensely to me and many others! Should you need to chat let me know – I’m here. ♥♥♥
Thanks so much Corinne, your saying this in itself means a lot to Me..will surely love to speak to you sometime soon 🙂
Privy Trifles recently posted..I wish
Like I said, just let me know! 🙂
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..There’s A Rainbow Somewhere!
Hi Corinne
Wow, how true! Someone out there does care about us, even probably more people than you might at first think. We can all make a difference to others each and everyday. It can be very uplifting when someone tells you how another person really liked you and you had no idea how they felt. How nice of your friend to reach out like that. I shall have to try harder to show more caring for people I know just in case they forget I really care. Nice post.
Mary
Mary Stephenson recently posted..Finding Answers If You Just Ask
Hi Mary thanks for stopping by. Yes, like you said, my friend reaching out the way she did makes me more aware that I need to reach out too and tell people how much they mean to me.
Oh Corinne, I love this! Honestly, I sometimes wonder if I ever matter at all. But after this post, I need not doubt anymore. Thank you for always making me feel that I matter, Corinne, in your little ways! And that gift from your friend is something you truly deserve. Much love to you… God bless <3 🙂
I know we all wonder about that from time to time, Irene. I know I used to especially in times when I was in the middle of jobs or at the end of a relationship. But I’ve learnt that I matter to God and to myself first of all – every one else matters! And you do know that you matter to me, don’t you? ♥
Yes. I really believe that. I have this philosophy in life where “when I look back, I don’t want to feel regret” –with that in mind, I try to live my life as I won’t have to utter the word, “regret.”
Journey of Life recently posted..Giving procrastination a second look …
That’s a great philosophy to have, Angela. I know that you have done a lot to matter to your siblings and family and I’m sure you’re living out your philosophy everyday!
I don’t get over here often enough from GBE 2, but when I do, it is always worth the trip! Showing appreciation of someone who showed you appreciation… well, that is life at its best. You and your friend are both blessed. Somehow this reminds me of “It’s a Wonderful Life” with the message that we will never know all the small ways we have made a difference in countless lives with which we have connected.
Were you at BlogHer 12, too? We missed each other!
We all matter, but those of us who have people telling us that we matter are doubly blessed, don’t you think? I can see how this relates to ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’, which reminds me that I must watch that movie again soon! Thank you so much for stopping by, Nancy. I live in India and am Indian origin despite my not-so-Indian name. I wish I was at BlogHer 12. I heard it was wonderful. May be next time….. 🙂
I didn’t want to presume that you weren’t at BlogHer. That would have been rude in an entirely different way. I wish you had been. I would have loved to be able to chat with you in person. I hope you can avail yourself of the virtual conf. info and live blogs and submit your pieces for featuring on the network. The encouragement and hopeful strength you champion and broadcast are so important. I hope you use every means available to amplify the love. Peace, love, and estrogen.
Nancy/Nerthus recently posted..Sponsor Awareness at BlogHer 12
I know what you mean, Nancy – but either way I wouldn’t think you were being rude. I haven’t been on BlogHer for a while now. I was in submitting pieces in May and June but just got lazy, I guess. I’ll get back there soon. Peace, love and estrogen – just the thing for me! Thank you and wish loads of the same!
Sometimes I wonder if my life really does matter. I don’t work. I have been a stay at home mom since my daughter was born in 2000. Then my son came along and I continued on. I take care of them and my husband and write, but I have often wondered how my life mattered. I know it matters to my children, but besides them I haven’t made much contribution to the world. Still I have few regrets which in my opinion is a good thing. A very deep thing to contemplate.
Kathy
http://gigglingtruckerswife.blogspot.com
Kathy recently posted..Focus on This: Trees!
Hi Kathy
I was a stay at home mom for 25 years and I also felt that I contributed very little. But you know what I just had one child and when she came home from school I had the time to talk with her. She said everything on her mind…I had the time to listen and to help her process what was happening. I was there to give her suggestions of how to handle situations, she would talk about the problems her friends were having and I gave her knowledge and she went back to school and helped them. Raising a child that can solve their own problems by parental guidance can do wonders for society. I gave her the strength that I lacked. She turned out to be independent a big problem solver and a very “people person”. Stay at home mom’s do wonders for the world.
Mary
Mary Stephenson recently posted..Dreams That Happen
Kathy, as Mary Stephenson said so beautifully, stay at home moms do wonders for the world. I had a stay at home mom too and I know what a difference that made to my life especially since my Dad was in the Army and often away. Never let anyone tell you that you don’t matter because you don’t ‘work’. That’s a load of absolute crap! You matter – and you better start believing it, lady! ♥
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..There’s A Rainbow Somewhere!
My dear friend,
Very insightful post today. Yes, each life matters and you reminded us of that in your well-penned post. I am sure your friend adores your friendship. Thanks for sharing your kindness and wisdom.
Andy recently posted..M is for: MELT AWAY MY PAIN
Thank you, Andy. Isn’t it wonderful that we all matter! I know that you do to me. Thank you for your friendship!
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..There’s A Rainbow Somewhere!
This is beautifully written and a wonderful reminder that we never know whose life we are affecting. The smile you gave a stranger today might be the difference is his/her entire day. Or week. It could be the only smile they see or the one that mattered for some unknown reason.
Every word spoken is heard by someone. Speak carefully.
♥
Jo recently posted..WHAT IS THIS BLOG ABOUT, JO?
When you talk about how we might unwittingly affect strangers with our smiles, it makes me want to be more aware of people around me when I’m out. Sometimes we’re so caught up with ourselves that we don’t see the pain in another’s eyes. Thank you, Jo.
Such a beautiful thought, Corinne, and so true as well. I also do these impromptu things sometimes with dear friends. This Friendship Day, I sent customized emails and reconnected with some old friends over lovely memories. Yes, I matter, you matter, we all matter to those in whose hearts and minds, we have left a footprint, no matter how small. Thanks for the reinforcement.
I believe that everybody matters. There are many people who have yet to enter our lives and enrich it with their wisdom and actions.
It is indeed wonderful to receive such special gifts from people whom we love and care about. I too believe in writing a letter to convey my feelings.
Recently I wrote to a friend to comfort him and show him that he matters when he came from the brink of certain death. He called me and told me that the letter gave him a lot of hope. I was glad I wrote to him.
Lazy Pineapple recently posted..Raindrops keep falling on my head
Dear Corinne, what a lovely post this was. My life definitely matters to me and I am hell bent on living it to the fullest. And like me, everyone is here for a purpose.
And as for writing letters, I love them. Maybe one of these days, you will get a letter from me <3.
Joy always,
Susan
Susan Deborah recently posted..There is comfort in routine
Hi Corinne,
I really loved this post. I never thought about such like I read here… it makes so much sense. Granny Gee/Gloria :))) Beautiful….
Gloria Faye Brown Bates/Granny Gee recently posted..‘Write Out The Pain’…
Yes! Each and every one of our lives is important, purposeful, and meant to be lived to the fullest! What a touching reminder here, Corinne, and what a loving gift your friend gave to you in that letter. I know you will cherish it always. Letters, real letters, are so rare these days, and that makes this one an extra-special treasure.
Great and inspirational post as always!
Blessings to you!
Martha Orlando recently posted..Ooh, Shiny!
Thanks for the reminder, Corinne! We do have a tendency to forget sometimes.
Joyce at I Take Off The Mask recently posted..Have You Ever Seen Crazy People?
What a beautiful friendship you have & what a wonderful gift! Thanks for this, Corinne. Blessings!
Dear Corinne, the part where you say that someone somewhere has lost the chance to connect to your soul because you are longer there took me straight to thoughts of Sancheeta. I wish she had known how much her life mattered. Yes our life matters. Beautiful, my friend
rimly recently posted..A Friday Moment
Such a beautiful post, Corinne! And what a beautiful gift from your friend. I find those types of things are the gifts that end up mattering most to me in the end. Suicide is such a sad thing; sometimes when we’re in our darkest places it’s hard to even imagine nonetheless see the light. But perseverance always eventually reveals happier times. By cutting yourself out of the world, you deny yourself and others of that joy that was meant to be.
You put it much more beautifully than I. :p
I was just telling you that I was looking for clues. I got it. I was waiting for something to happen but I forgot that I need to take a step to overcome an intimacy barrier. It has been ages since I sat down a wrote a letter. Or Did something thoughtful and generous. We get so caught up with ourselves sometimes.
Culture Counsel recently posted..Finding my voice
Hi!
Life does matter and here’s wishing people realize just how important their lives are. They need to cherish it, be thankful and respect their life’s because once you can’t do that to your own life, the whole point of living will be a lot more confusing!
Hajra recently posted..Why you will always be too young / too old for social media.
Such a simple post and a profound message. Yes, our life matters. To us and the ones concerned about us. We need to keep us reminding of this and live a better life.
Lovely post, and I am so blessed to be connected to you corinne ! and I am in process of paying forward what I have received freely in my life from you – a lot of gratitude in my heart has given me a sense of responsibility to share what I have with generosity to tell persons, they matter to me, and ofcourse my life matters too, for I cannot rest in peace, as there are so many waiting out there – to be touched, reached out and to know that their life has a purpose too !
Funny, that was just something I’ve been brooding about this whole week. I know deep in my heart my life does matter but you know those kind of days when nothing seems to go well and you sort of wonder where did all the days go? It was very uplifting to read this, Corinne. Thank you so much for sharing it here.
Anne recently posted..Connect the Dots
I understand that I may matter in the great scheme of things but Imy lifes never really mattered to anyone personally and at this late date I am just trying to accept thats the way it is.
This is beautiful Corinne… A friend just wrote me about the missing hole in his life after the demise of his wife…and Lisa and I were just sharing about the loss of loved ones the other day. Some people just don’t know what it means to have/ not have them in our lives… You do mean a lot to me BS and I truly care 🙂
Lots of love!
melissa recently posted..The Promise
This is a beautiful post. I think most of us at some point or another have paused to wonder if we really matter in the grand scheme of things. It is all too easy to get caught up in the idea that if we’re not rich or famous or making headlines about changing the world in some way, that we aren’t really contributing. Of course, nothing could be further from the truth, but it’s nice to have that reminder sometimes. So nice of your friend to send you such a lovely reminder of your own, and incredibly generous of you to share it with us so that we all might learn from it.
What a beautiful idea your friend had..the thoughtfulness that went into that….we never really know who and in what way we have touched them.. there are many a day I want to end it all ..and I come close..but sometimes ..I’ll get an email…or a heart or a status on my wall that says I matter…and those are the good days ..they help me to remember….As always….XOXOXOXOXO
Bongo recently posted..WAKING IN THE NIGHT
Two sides to this, right, Corinne?
Of course, we must realize the importance of our life and living accordingly (then again, how hard is it to realize the importance to our life? To a person who has lost everything and has big debt, what is the solution? I am sure there are solutions, but in those scenarios, it is hard to identify those solutions, right? How is a person who finds it hard to find solutions going to realize the importance of their life to the society? They may not. It is hard, right?).
Then there is opposite side of the topic.
People who incredibility believe in their life and their talents (Well, more than the usual, so ego centric).
That is also a big problem, right?
So, we need a balance?
A little bit of realization of our importance and little bit of arrogance. Right?
Jeevan Jacob John recently posted..Episode 03: Conversational Commenting, How Do You Converse?
Every single “aspect” in this universe has a role otherwise it won’t be there. Every living organism is important in the chain of life preservation. The extinction of some species affect life cycle on the long run. Individual objects of a certain category of existence do matter because they contribute to the existence of that category, and every category matters because it contributes to the existence of the whole.
However, because this universe is well-planned and brilliantly engineered, it can continue without “me” or “you” or any other object that might vanish or die or disappear. There are always substitutes. Only when a whole species becomes endangered does the self-preservation mechanism in Nature come to act to restore balance.
It is true that individuals are effective within their limited range of contribution, but it is also true that they are not less important to the whole as long as they are doing their part. A block is important to a building, but if one is broken, it can be easily replaced. Therefore, the importance of the block is genuine only when it is performing its role and achieving the purpose it was made for – not necessarily having a purpose of its own if it could “think” of one.
We humans, think that having a purpose of our own is the same as performing our role in life. No. My personal individual purpose is what I “think” my role in this life is, and not necessarily the genuine role I was created to perform. Some, however, discover their path – or at least are convinced they have – and those will satisfactorily contribute to the continuation of their species, and, consequently, to the continuation of the universe. But that does not make them indispensible. Every object is at the same time important and dispensable: important as long as they exist and do their part, and insignificance when they vanish – because they are replaceable.
So, I should differentiate between what my ego wants and mistakes for a universal purpose, and what this life manifestation in the form of a human being (I) can contribute to the whole. Then this particular life of mine will matter to me and to the universe at the same time,