MY IMPORTANCE TO THE WORLD
Friday, September 16, 2022 - column #7122
I was pondering, as I often do, the wisdom of doing one thing rather than another, of starting something while ending something else – the challenge of doing what matters, what matters most, and what matters most to me. I realize that’s the wrong sequence; I should focus on the ‘me’ part first rather than last, and sometimes I do. For most of my life, I think that me was at the front of everything – it was about my job, my wallet, my family, my business, my this, my that …
But as I’ve gotten older and with better focus lately, I realize me is still important, but the more important part is what I can do with my tools and talents.
Sure, it’s still about money for the same reasons everyone needs income to sustain themselves, but my bigger goals aren’t framed that way. Not anymore.
I came across this quote which resonates with me:
“My importance to the world is relatively small. On the other hand, my importance to myself is tremendous. I am all I have to work with, to play with, to suffer and to enjoy. It is not the eyes of others that I am wary of, but of my own. I do not intend to let myself down more than I can possibly help, and I find that the fewer illusions I have about myself or the world around me, the better company I am for myself.” - Noel Coward
So, what is your importance to the world?
We see people come and go in our lives – and sometimes we witness friends or family depart this mortal coil from such a wide variety of causes – some too soon, some not soon enough, and some who must linger in pain or despair.
Life is long, and we should not waste a day.
Life is short, and we should not waste a day.
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