Matter

On the night my grandma passed this September, I had the gift of being home alone for the whole night. I turned everything off and quietly reflected on who and what matters most to me.

My aunt recorded some interviews with Grannie last year, and she asked for words of wisdom for the younger generations. One response was this: “Keep yourself busy; don’t sit around and mope and think the world owes you something because you’re here to do your best.”

This makes me chuckle a little because when I get upset, I tear down wallpaper or redo a room; I clean the garage or purge my closet or pantry. I put my frustration into action and treat myself to clean, organized spaces and a clearer mind. Hearing her advice with a dose of sarcasm makes me realize her influence and impact on me. Some of the things I love the most about myself are in her words. Her philosophies are a part of me because that’s what she taught and demonstrated to her seven children, which trickled down to me and her other 16 grandchildren and hopefully will also benefit her 29 great-grandchildren.

Sometimes, I get stuck thinking that I don’t matter. On this particular Friday, the 13th, after I looked up the dictionary definitions of ‘matter,’ I realized that that could not possibly be true for me or anyone else. 

We all occupy space and possess mass; we are matter. 

Consider life situations: Does this matter? We can choose where our energy focus is and where we can stop wasting it.

If you have one family member or friend that you love, including your own self, or you serve other people in your work or volunteering,  then you are important and significant. 

You matter.