What Really Matters

Why is staying in touch with people so difficult? I have friends that I love dearly but sometimes only see them once a year or every other year. We get too busy. We just assume everyone will be there. We know life is short. Life is unpredictable but we just do what needs to get done.

Today I want you to STOP. Stop what you are doing. What are you stressing about today? Bills? Time? Dishes? Whatever it is, just stop.

Why? Here’s the why…

Today I got a call from an old friend. Someone I had not talked to in over a year. We had planned to get together but just never followed through. The reason she called me today, she just learned a mutual friend of ours had passed unexpectedly. I was speechless. I did not make a decision to stop at that moment, I just did. My thoughts went right to our friend. How could I have not spoken to her in so long? I miss her. I remember the last time I saw her. She told me everything about what was happening in her life, her marriage, her son who was battling cancer and her daughter who had just gotten married. She was feeling good about life. She was an avid dog lover, often volunteering at animal shelters on a regular basis, taking in foster dogs. She had a huge heart. I felt her positive energy every time I saw her. Her smile could light up a room And when she talked about her kids, wow, she loved them with all her heart. That love was just lit through her face. I miss her. I miss her dearly. How could I have not seen her … and now she is gone.

So this is why I challenge you today to STOP. Whatever you are doing just STOP. Hug your wife, husband, daughter, son, sister, mother, father, best friend, whoever you need to hug. Tell them you love them and think about the big picture, what is really important in life.

In honor of my friend, share a random act of kindness today. Share her heart by showing a kind gesture to someone else. This is all I ask.

Think about what matters in life and make a list. Yes, make a list. This may sound trivial but I want you to have it in writing or even on your smartphone or tablet and I want you to look at it every morning. Don’t let yourself get caught up in the daily grind, or figuring out where the money for the cable bill is going to come from this week. Really, yes we have to keep going, but it doesn’t matter. Each day remind yourself of what really matters because it could be gone in the blink of an eye.

It just doesn’t matter. Things don’t matter. People matter. That’s all. Just people. Love your people.

Take a moment and figure out how you can make THIS moment count. Because really this is all we have.