I Matter
People have been telling me for years that life has no purpose, that we, as a species, mean nothing. Regardless, I have always held true to my belief that everyone matters. One could call it “passive impact,” the notion that all our lives are touched by everyone we encounter, no matter how briefly or superficially. That everyone on this planet was put here for a reason, even if that reason is small.
Naturally, when I tell them this they begin questioning me. “How can you believe that?” Well every person that I have spoken to, even briefly, has somehow impacted me. Isn’t that a kind of purpose, being able to impact someone else? If that person had not been there that day, there is a good chance I would not be who I am today. My mindset and actions would be slightly different.
“You certainly can’t remember everyone you’ve run into.” No, I can’t. But I remember people who stopped to be kind for a moment. It meant nothing to them, but everything to me. For example, when I was about nine or ten I sat alone on a bench and I was crying. A young teenage boy saw me as he was walking past with his friends and made sure to come over, checking if I was alright and knew where my mother was. He likely has no recollection of that now, but I still remember it years later because what he did, although it might seem like common nature, left a footprint. I think about it often. Perhaps his purpose in life was just that: to be there at the right time and place to comfort a little girl.
“If you are so confident about all of this, then what is your purpose?” That, I’m not too sure. I’m only 18, after all. I may not fulfill my purpose until years down the line.
However, my life does matter, and I believe the reasons why I matter will influence my purpose. And why do I matter? I can’t quite answer that without sounding obnoxious, so I asked a few friends how I have affected their lives and why they believe I matter in this world.
“Everyone has a purpose,” my friend Caitlin said. “You matter because you try your best to help people skip the phase that you, unfortunately, went through. You don’t let others fail or hurt. You have influenced others to achieve their own greatness and made a difference in so many lives, including mine. Your presence on this earth makes a difference.”
Grace said, “I feel like my answer to that is simple: you matter for the simple reason that you make other people feel as though they matter. You are such a positive person and have the ability to make a bad situation into a better one. When someone is feeling low about themselves, you go above and beyond to change their perspective. You work well in negative situations and always know what to say. It’s because of people like you that others are able to learn to be content with who they are, and because of that you are most definitely not obsolete.”
“You’re constantly there for everyone and remind them that they are worth more than they think. You always offer to help and always make people feel like they matter. You restore that feeling of self-importance in people,” Charlotte said.
“You are a very kind hearted person,” Chyanne said. “You would do anything for someone in need and you helped me numerous times when I wasn’t at my greatest. In my eyes, you’re a hero because if it weren’t for you, I probably would not still be here today.”
Thea said, “You never fail to make sure I’m okay when I’m feeling broken. You’re here to show the world that there should be more people like you, people who are always there for others and never letting the things that hurt you the most bring you down. If anything is ever bothering me, she’ll be there. If I ever need a friend, she’ll be there. Without even being asked, might I add. You make sure everyone deserves what they want.”
“You matter because you make me feel like I matter. You have made me feel not so alone,” said Reana.
My friends show that my life has impacted theirs’ in some way. They show that had I not been born, their lives would not be the same.
True, this is what other people believe of me and not necessarily what I think of myself. So why do I consider myself important? Why do I believe that I, one small person out of billions, mean something?
I matter because I spread hope. I spread hope to my friends stuck in depression, hope for a brighter future, a happier tomorrow. I spread hope to my friends who feel like they are alone, hope that they will soon feel how loved they truly are. I spread hope to my friends who have big dreams, hope that one day they will accomplish everything they imagine.
I matter because I enforce self-love. I help them see their own importance, telling them why they matter to me and where I would be without them. I make sure everyone knows that they are loved by someone, even if it’s just by me. I show them that it is okay to not always be okay.
I may just be one person, but my life has weaved through countless others’.
“How can you be so sure?” Because I have seen it and I have felt it. We all may be small compared to the large world we live in, but our influence is mighty. You have the power to change someone’s entire day with a simple sentence, the power to become a character in someone else’s story. Every person has memories of a stranger who made their day, a friend who helped them through a rough time, a teacher who changed their life. But also of strangers who ruined their mood and fights with friends they never see anymore. All these people changed them somehow. All these people were the heros or villans of a chapter, or perhaps the whole story.
When you get to the end of your life, people will still remember you even though you aren’t here anymore. They will remember how you affected them and your importance to those around you. If you matter to even just one person, you matter in this world.
