ENCOURAGEMENT FOR TODAY- Do I Matter?
Do I matter? That seems to be the question that so many people are asking today. In my job, in my relationships, in my culture, on social media, to God, and in the world, do I matter? Would the world be better off without me, do others care that I exist and that I contribute to those around me?
As a counselor and coach almost daily I deal with people asking that question. I truly believe that question and that feeling is the source of employees who are quickly leaving jobs, of the rise of suicide attempts, the anger and hatred being pushed on others, and the overall feeling of hopelessness. Yes, Covid has put a mirror before us but the issue existed before Covid.
When we ask that question believing that we have little value and no one cares we judge others because we need something to make ourselves feel better. When we ask that question and feel that way we hold little regard for others because we feel since no one else cares about me I’m going to get what’s mine. When we asked that question and feel that way we shut down, we become hopeless believing that every attempt we make will end in failure, and we choose to remain walled up in a world of safety.
So what is the answer? 1. We need to find a source that is bigger than ourselves and others. If my source of identity is you, or a politician, or a celebrity, or my job, it will fail me and I will lose confidence and hope. If we place our trust in something that won’t fail then regardless of the situation that hope will remain intact. 2. We need to hold on to the truth realizing what I can control and what I cannot. At the end of the day, the only thing I have control over are my choices, my behaviors, and my responses. I cannot control what others think, feel, or believe. And finally, 3. I need to understand who I am and who I am not. It is not another person’s responsibility to make me happy or to give me hope. When I understand that my happiness is not dependent on you or anyone else doing what I want, my choices, and my thinking change. I can let you off the hook and stop being angry at you while continuing to grow and change my perspective.
The question is do I matter? And the answer is absolutely! You matter whether we agree or not. You matter regardless of how many times you fail, make a mistake, or fall down. You matter whether you have a job and you’re making millions or your living on the street and don’t have a penny to your name. You matter regardless if you had a jacked-up and horrible past or if you had wonderful, loving parents and a great background.
You matter because your value is not based on anything exterior but on the fact that you are an amazing creation by the very hand of God.
That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it. Have a wonderful and blessed day and know that you matter.
You can do this!Â
Take care,
Charlotte
Dream Madly, Pursue Wildly, Trust Completely tm
Copyright © 2021 by Charlotte D. Hunt All rights reserved. No part of this material may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopy, or otherwise without written permission from the author except for brief quotations in printed reviews.