Warning! My blog will challenge you to be more, give more, live fearlessly, take more chances and show up in the world unstoppable, daring and bold.
photo credit: rebecca-jaclynne
“He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.” Friedrich Nietzsche
We don’t have to be wealthy, educated, or important people to make a significant difference in the world. We’ve all effected more people and have done more good than we realize because we are all connected.
It doesn’t matter
It doesn’t matter what anyone thinks
It doesn’t matter that my car is 10 years old
It doesn’t matter I gained five pounds
It doesn’t matter that I eat breakfast for dinner
It doesn’t matter if I have a bad hair day
It doesn’t matter that you forgot my birthday
It doesn’t matter that I came in last
It doesn’t matter what someone thinks of my family
It doesn’t matter if I leave dishes in the sink at night
It doesn’t matter how much money we haveIt doesn’t matter that I’m short and your tall
It doesn’t matter the color of your skin
It doesn’t matter I made a mistake
It doesn’t matter what I did in my past
It doesn’t matter if you have the last word
It doesn’t matter if I don’t get my way
It doesn’t matter if you disagree with me
It matters…
It matters that I practice what I preach
It matters that I kissed him goodbye
It matters that I have compassion
It matters that I spoke kind words
It matters that I made someone smileIt matters that I spend time with family
It matters that I love my friends
It matters that I’m here to listen
It matters that I’m here to help
It matters that I forgive and forgetIt matters that I am a happy person
It matters how I spend my money
It matters how I treat the earth
It matters that I am healthy and happy
It matters that I’m willing to give
It matters that I do what I enjoy
It matters that I see good in everyone
It matters that I spend time in nature
It matters how I spend my time
It matters how I spend my energy
It matters that I have integrity
It matters all the people I touch on my way
It matters that I care deeply
It matters that I want to make the world a better place
It matters that I want to make a difference
What matters most is love
Just a very simple two-word question —”What matters?”—can change your path in life and effect the lives of people around you.
What’s important to you? What really matters to you?
Do you live deliberately according to the things that are important to you?
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{ 29 comments… read them below or add one }
What an inspiring post. What matters? I used to struggle to answer questions like that. I would generally give the answer that I thought would sound the best. Today my honest answer is… Me. More specifically, me living my truth. If I can live my truth my spirit shines. I can be a free-spirited woman. That’s what matters to me. Just my thoughts.
Tess,
Your post reminded me of a book by Hyrum Smith - What Matters Most. It’s so true that once we know what matters, life becomes simple and joyful. Right now what matters most for me on a daily basis:
- Something to do
- Somewhere to be
- Someone to love
What matters? Great question to ask before you do anything and oh Jill, I love that you now matter and I think I take that on board too. I am the why of my life, that I am love and love in action is actually all that matters.
Love colors my life, it flavors what I eat, what I see and what I do.
Without love nothing seems to matter much.
So I make sure I make my heart strong and get access to the love that is in me. That matters. So, yes Jess, loves matters for me too, a lot.
What else is there actually in life worth pursuing?
I meant Tess of course, however mistakes do not matter, what matters is that I know you are a wonderful writer and that you are Tess.
WOW! This just put everything in perspective.
It doesn’t matter what size I am, but it matters how I treat my body. It doesn’t matter if I sell my art, but it matters how much joy it brings me to create.
Thank you Tess!
I’m with Caroline…couldn’t have said it better. It’s all about perspective and living with gusto.
Hi Tess, this is a very timely post for me. Thank You.
I’m going to visit my family in Ireland in 8 days time. It’s my 6th visit in 9 years and this trip has a completely different feel about it. In the past I’d go on a crash diet, get a new wardrobe and buy presents for practically everyone I know, stressing the bank balance in the process.
This time round I haven’t done any of the above as all this looking good stuff does not matter anymore, not one bit.
So what does matter right now in my life?
That I’m relaxed and so looking forward to hanging out with my family; spending time with my parents, playing with my niece and nephews and having fun with my siblings. I am so clear on what this trip is about. LOVE.
Enjoying myself, being present with my family, expressing my love for them and making every moment count. Bring it on.
Thank You Tess for asking such brilliant questions.
This is really beautiful, powerful, and inspiring. Thank you so much for writing this, and sharing it with us!
Tess,
This is beautifully written and expressed. It matters to me that I’m here today reading this…knowing that these words are spoken from your heart. You matter…and that matters to me.
I really like this Tess! I just love it when you read things that make you think, examine and put into perspecive. You achieved all of that with this post!
What matters to me is that every day , the people that I love know it. It matters that every day I am encouraging to the people I come into conatct with, in person or otherwise.
Thanks Tess!
Beautiful! I will save this and read it often.
The one that stood out for me was, “It doesn’t matter that you forgot my birthday.” Mine was last week and a close friend didn’t call, and still hasn’t realized he missed it. I’m having a hard time letting go of that. But yes, in the long run of a 15-year relationship, it’s one day, and it doesn’t really matter.
Thank you–these words and sentiments are exactly what I needed today. Vey inspirational!
Today what matters is not that I was flexed off work and feel a bit of panic at what I don’t have, but that the sun rose and is shining brilliantly (doesn’t always happen in the harbor during this season!), and that I am about to experience a rare treat and spend a very fun evening with my son at an amusement park. What matters is that the day is good and I am fully in it.
What truly matters is the ability to think positive and pursue a life of purpose. Without a purpose in life you will become a wandering generality instead of a meaningful specific. Your ability to understanfd how to think positive is essential to becoming a a great person.
Here are a few more things that Matter
1. Taking care of the kids today while my wife has a day off
2. Remembering my Mothers birthday
3. Having a healthy body
4. Working towards your Dreams daily
5. Giving when you can
Tess,
What a beautiful post!!! Here are a few things that matters to me:
1)I give something to people I meet that might help them and I do it without expecting something back.
2) I write from my heart and listen to Izzy.
3) I work hard to see the positive side of life
4) I can laugh and share laughter with others.
I also want you to know that I got your book, “Flying by the Seat of My Soul,” and I love it. I’m still reading it. Today, I just turned to a page and looked at the first words that caught my eye. They were perfect for me. Here they are: “I believe that all the lessons I have learned from my past struggles and tumultuous times have given me the strength and courage I have today.”
So TRUE…thanks for this book. I would recommend it to anyone:~)
Great list! Yes, I do live on purpose, I do live a blessed and wonderful life filled with all that matters. I strive for the wisdom to discern what does and does not matter along my journey.
Oh what a fantastic post. You really do inspire me to think and challenge myself to think about the things that really matter. To me, it matters that I stand up for what I believe in, I spread joy to others, and I am able to love myself.
Wow, Tess, this is really great. You’ve made such a statement with this post and I love it. You’ve reminded me of what really does matter — and what doesn’t. Thank you for posting this!
Ah! this is diving deep right into the heart of matters. If only we ask ourselves this every time we have some choice to make, life would be so much better.
Hi Tess .. Life matters, life is important - it’s the only one we have; today is the only today we have; count our blessings; live happily; be peaceful even with all the turmoil going on around;
Savour all moments of bliss - moments matter ..
Thanks Tess - love is all ..
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
Hi Tess,
What matters. This are the 2 important words that we should ask ourselves daily to help us make our decisions. I believe there are too many times where we spend too much time on things that don’t matter. Imagine how much difference it would make to our life if we are doing things that matter everyday?
Cheers,
Vincent
What an inspiring post, Tess. It really puts things in perspective.
People matter more than things.
Having enough matters far more than trying to have everything or even an excess.
Being kind matters more than having to be right all the time.
And as you said, Love matters most of all.
Hi Tess,
An incredible post indeed.
What matters???
Love love and love matters most. Love in everyone, love in everything and most of all Love in you.
Thank you for this beautiful post.
people matter most. my family. they have always been first on my list, no matter what.
Ohhh, I love your lists, Tess! What matters to me is everything you wrote about, for sure, and gosh, I couldn’t agree more about the money thing. It’s not how much we have, but maybe how we spend it — or how we let it define or rule us (or hopefully NOT define or rule us).
I think I may send a link to this post to a few friends. It’s just so good!
What a touching and beautiful post Tess, not sure if I can add much.
Maybe it matters that I tuck her in each night and sing a lullaby. It matters that I hug a tree each day, really send my love energy to its very core. It matters that I keep reading your blog.
My first time here and I am glad that I came, this list is very timely as I am at a crossroads professionally and thinking about what matter is what I have been doing alot of lately. The list made me reflect on what does matter. Thank you
Jill,
Me and living my truth! Well that couldn’t be said any better.
Daphne,
I never heard of the book but it sounds good to me. I love what matters to you…me as well and you Daphne…You!
Wilma,
Like you if I’m not filling my day with love I’m wasting my precious time on earth and everyone elses! Yeah for us.
Caroline,
I love your art and it matters to me as well!
Cheryl K.
I love “living with gusto.”
Ann-Marie,
I used to do those very same things prior to believing in myself. Probably most women in America have as well. Then we become wise and realize “We Are Enough.”
Jay,
You betcha! Thanks for stopping by.
Lance,
The feeling is mutual. Thanks for all the help and inspiration you bring to us bloggers and readers.
Keith,
Encouragement and love…can we all be so wise?!?
Michelle,
What a good way to look at it. One day in 15 years is easy to forgive when we keep our ego out of it. Next year give him/her a reminder and a big hint!
Joy,
I wish you the best with your new job search and you’re so smart to go to the amusement park and have fun with your son. What a reward for a job well done.
It’s especialy important to reward yourself when times are tough.
Jonathan,
You’re such a great guy and what a wonderful family you must have. Keep on keepin on.
Sara,
I’m so glad we found each other’s blog and I love that you love my book. Yeah! And thanks for reading it and mentioning it.
Mark,
You are an example to us all. The people around you and the people who read your blog have the privledge to know you.
Caity,
You just gave us three lines to live by. You rock!
Dani,
Yes, Yes Yes! Thanks for stopping by:)
Avani,
So the question would be The choice that matters is___________? Yes!
Yes savor bliss, moments, family, friends, love…life. It doesn’t get much better than that.
Vincent,
Good point…it’s one thing to know what matters and another to put it in practice. Our world would be a different place if we all did this.
Karen,
Yes being kind trumps being right anyday. Things have no real value. Love lasts beyond ourselves.
Zeenat,
We’re on the same path. Love to you and your place in the world.
Stacey,
I can’t agree more. Family. Enough said.
Megan,
Thanks so much for the compliment and adding what matters to you. You are important to me and I’m blessed with our connection.
Jannie,
You’re the best mom and I’ love trees. Always have always will. Don’t get why there aren’t more tree houses and kids playing in them. Yeah for our blogs!
Harold,
I’m glad I could be of help. A crossroad professionaly can be confusing and stressful. I wish you well on your path. Follow your heart and all will be well.
Tess, each of those statements can have such a powerful effect upon your life. Thanks for sharing them.
What matters to me is the people I inspire everyday, the choices I make to inch closer to my ultimate goals, and life’s trials and tribulations that drive people to share their experiences and know that they are not alone.
All of the people you’ve befriended (both on and offline) resonate with you. They push you to succeed and motivate you to go even further. All of us here are with you, Tess. This relationship all of us have built together - tribes, communities, groups, forums - this is what matters.