DO you matter?

[teacups]

I dont mean to your family, of course you do.
But to the WORLD. To HUMANITY. To the BIG PICTURE.
What do you do to make a difference?
Even small things, please share them with me here. I dont think it has to be a huge thing to make a huge difference.

 

[aristocatz]

I dont mean to your family, of course you do.
But to the WORLD. To HUMANITY. To the BIG PICTURE.
What do you do to make a difference?
Even small things, please share them with me here. I dont think it has to be a huge thing to make a huge difference.

I feel that I make a big difference, in terms of my career. I am an educational and behavioral consultant for children with autism for an urban school district. I work with the parents, the teachers, and therapists to help these children learn to their maximum potential.

 

[minkydog]

I feel that I make a big difference, in terms of my career. I am an educational and behavioral consultant for children with autism for an urban school district. I work with the parents, the teachers, and therapists to help these children learn to their maximum potential.

As the mother of a boy with autism who is very low-functioning, let me be the first to say YOU MATTER TO ME. Thank you for your devotion to the field.

 

[Stacerita]

I dont mean to your family, of course you do.
But to the WORLD. To HUMANITY. To the BIG PICTURE.
What do you do to make a difference?
Even small things, please share them with me here. I dont think it has to be a huge thing to make a huge difference.

I think everyone matters to some degree. I fully believe in the "Its a Wonderful Life". Each person touches so many people in different ways, if they weren't there, something would be missing.

 

[flying_babyb]

Well Im a floater/sub teacher at a preschool but its not like I matter much.

 

[Pomlover2586]

Who are we to judge if we matter? In the end I think it's the people around us and of course God who get to have the final opinions.

 

[mom of 3G's]

I am a volunteer EMT in our rural community. Most calls we don't get a sense of accomplishment, but I had a feel-good call a few weeks ago where it mattered that I was there.

 

[aristocatz]

As the mother of a boy with autism who is very low-functioning, let me be the first to say YOU MATTER TO ME. Thank you for your devotion to the field.

Thank you for your kind words

 

[teacups]

Who are we to judge if we matter? In the end I think it's the people around us and of course God who get to have the final opinions.

I see what you are saying, but I dont think that should give anyone a pass to DO NOTHING. And addressing a pp... I know people who contribute NOTHING. I think we each should purposefully try to help or make some kind of change... to someone or some thing somewhere.

I'd like to make a change. Or start something.
I think lately I am feeling like I'm not doing that.

 

[C.Ann]

Who are we to judge if we matter? In the end I think it's the people around us and of course God who get to have the final opinions.

I tend to agree with this statement.. Somehow it seems "wrong" to sit here and make a long list of things we do that make us "matter".. In a way it seems vain to me..

 

[Pomlover2586]

I tend to agree with this statement.. Somehow it seems "wrong" to sit here and make a long list of things we do that make us "matter".. In a way it seems vain to me..

My sentiments exactly......

I certainly do not sit around and do "nothing" I try my best to be a good person, treat others as I want to be treated, and help in any way I can- both to humans and animals alike- but I also don't feel right sitting here and bragging about what I do in my daily life to justify it. JMHO

 

[phorsenuf]

I see what you are saying, but I dont think that should give anyone a pass to DO NOTHING. And addressing a pp... I know people who contribute NOTHING. I think we each should purposefully try to help or make some kind of change... to someone or some thing somewhere.

I'd like to make a change. Or start something.
I think lately I am feeling like I'm not doing that.

How do you know they contribute nothing? If a friend should call them because they need someone to vent to or a shoulder to cry on, is that nothing? Perhaps they feed a stray cat, or happened to call in a drunk driver they saw on the road. Is that nothing?

My point is what may seem like nothing to you could seem like something to another. Does doing something have to be on public display so everyone can see? A lot of people contribute in a big way behind the scenes.

 

[HOGFAN]

I dont think I do but some of my cancer patients think I hung the moon....so I guess thats something.

 

[dauser]

I think that this is something that everyone has to be comfortable with for themselves, and not motivated by what other people may think of them.

For instance, I know that I matter to my family and friends. I also know that my job (pharmaceutical research) makes a difference. However, I know that outside of work I am a huge couch potato, and feel that I have more to offer. I love animals, and have decided that I am going to look into volunteering for local animal rescue groups, or a zoo in my area.

Again though, I think that this is a personal decision, and should not be judged by others.

 

[minkydog]

How do you know they contribute nothing? If a friend should call them because they need someone to vent to or a shoulder to cry on, is that nothing? Perhaps they feed a stray cat, or happened to call in a drunk driver they saw on the road. Is that nothing?

My point is what may seem like nothing to you could seem like something to another. Does doing something have to be on public display so everyone can see? A lot of people contribute in a big way behind the scenes.

I think you make a great point. We never know what someone else may be contributing to our greater world. I am reminded of my own son, who is so mentally disabled that he can't bathe, dress, diaper, or feed himself. All he can "do" is walk, laugh, and smile. He can't "do" anything for anyone, not even himself. But he brings joy to every person who meets him. One cannot be in his presence and remain unchanged. I'm blessed to have such a person in my life. He constantly reminds me that God thinks I am important to Him--we all are.

 

[mom of 3G's]

Well Im a floater/sub teacher at a preschool but its not like I matter much.

Why did you add the last part of your statement of "its not like I matter much" after the original had been displayed? That wasn't there before. And for what it's worth -- yes, you matter, but I don't think you should have added that. It's just like

 

[bettyann29]

Who are we to judge if we matter? In the end I think it's the people around us and of course God who get to have the final opinions.

I tend to agree with this statement.. Somehow it seems "wrong" to sit here and make a long list of things we do that make us "matter".. In a way it seems vain to me..

My sentiments exactly......

I certainly do not sit around and do "nothing" I try my best to be a good person, treat others as I want to be treated, and help in any way I can- both to humans and animals alike- but I also don't feel right sitting here and bragging about what I do in my daily life to justify it. JMHO

How do you know they contribute nothing? If a friend should call them because they need someone to vent to or a shoulder to cry on, is that nothing? Perhaps they feed a stray cat, or happened to call in a drunk driver they saw on the road. Is that nothing?

My point is what may seem like nothing to you could seem like something to another. Does doing something have to be on public display so everyone can see? A lot of people contribute in a big way behind the scenes.

I totally agree

 

[Aisling]

I think everyone matters to some degree. I fully believe in the "Its a Wonderful Life". Each person touches so many people in different ways, if they weren't there, something would be missing.

I agree. Even people who do wrong can be a lesson for the rest of us, so in that way they matter.

Who are we to judge if we matter? In the end I think it's the people around us and of course God who get to have the final opinions.

I don't see it as judging ourselves, but taking a close look at how we affect those around us, and to make changes in our behavior if needed.

I tend to agree with this statement.. Somehow it seems "wrong" to sit here and make a long list of things we do that make us "matter".. In a way it seems vain to me..:confused3

I don't see it as vain at all. Again, it's just looking at our lives and maybe from seeing how others feel they "matter", we can get ideas for ourselves. At least, so far, it doesn't seem like anyone is tooting their own horn, but acknowleding their own contributions to humanity, whether it's a smile to the checkout girl or something bigger.

My sentiments exactly......

I certainly do not sit around and do "nothing" I try my best to be a good person, treat others as I want to be treated, and help in any way I can- both to humans and animals alike- but I also don't feel right sitting here and bragging about what I do in my daily life to justify it. JMHO

You wouldn't be bragging. You may be opening some eyes and hearts that need opening by telling in what ways you strive to be a "good" person. Some people think that in order to matter, you have to cure cancer. But all it takes it the small things, as well as the big things when we can do it. Big and small are equal; it's just that everyone's situation may determine what they can do. I enjoy hearing about it all.

I feel like I matter just for being alive. I also do things that make me feel even more that I matter, but I hesitiate to tell about it so that doesnt turn into a "you think you're so great" thread, when it's not my intention.

 

[flying_babyb]

Why did you add the last part of your statement of "its not like I matter much" after the original had been displayed? That wasn't there before. And for what it's worth -- yes, you matter, but I don't think you should have added that. It's just like

Thats just opinion. Take it as you will.

 

[Aisling]

Thats just opinion. Take it as you will.

Yes you matter, a lot. And I for one don't see you as a pot-stirrer at all.