I want to know I matter.
It's why I constantly check my phone to see if anyone has sent a text or left me a voice mail message, and why I obsessively check my email, sign in to my Facebook account, etc.
It's why I love opening a gift from someone--something I know was bought because they thought of me and knew I would love it.
It's why I yearn for positive feedback at work and love to hear I did a good job or know that someone noticed my hard work.
It's why I feel special when someone holds a door open for me, says 'bless you' when I sneeze, or lets me merge in traffic.
It's why I enjoy getting a card or letter in the mail for no reason at all.
It's why I love calling a friend and having them say, "I was just thinking of you!"
It's why I thrive on the rare moments with clients when they let me know I've made a difference in their lives.
It's why I appreciate when I get an unexpected bouquet of flowers or a visit from a friend.
It's why having someone smile at me or say 'thank you' just never gets old.
Kindness, compassion, thoughtfulness, validation, acknowledgement...it all reminds me that I matter.
It's one thing to be reminded by other peoples' actions, thoughts, and words that I matter. But why do I have to depend on others to convince me that I matter? Why do I base my worth on whether someone likes me, approves of me, or admires me?
A kind soul reminded me yesterday that it's even more crucial to know in my own heart, soul and mind that I matter. It's not about what I do or don't do that makes me matter. I matter simply because I am who I am: a child of God.
It got me thinking, what if we made a point every day to treat ourselves like we matter just for being, and not for anything we've done or will do?
Thank you for those who have helped me feel like I matter. I am grateful for those reminders and I hope I've been able to return the favor. At the end of the day, I think it's important for all of us to know that the world wouldn't quite be the same without us, because we matter.
1 month ago