What Really Matters

Too often in life it is easy for us to become self-absorbed individuals. You know what I'm talking about--you get to the point where you forget to show the people you love just how much you love them. And while it's a common fault it's still not something to be okay with, because there may come a time when you won't be able to let someone else know how you truly feel about them. And being there for others and making an impact in their lives, in my opinion, is what really matters.

                        "A friend who dies, it's something of you that dies."

There's nothing in this world that puts things in perspective quite like death. The death of a loved one illustrates just how important being there for others and showing them how much you love them is. It's easy to take for granted the relationships you have with the people around you: you may think, for example, that your boyfriend/girlfriend understands that you love them; you may think that your family understands how much you love them; you may be absolutely certain that your friends know how much you love them--but my question to you is do they? Do they really understand how much they mean to you? When was the last time you told them that just how much they mean to you? Was it last week, last year, or worse--have you never told them how you would do anything in the world to help them and be there for them? Better yet, when was the last time you showed them how much they mean to you? Sure telling them is nice, but it's the showing part that really demonstrates the type of love you have for someone--remember that it's your actions, not your words, that defines your character. The point is that your love for the people around you that you truly care for should not be something you keep bottled up inside; rather, it should be something you're proud of, something that you consciously flaunt, something that is evident in both your presence and essence.

I was at my first funeral, a funeral for my 19-year old cousin Katie, and I had to learn these simple lessons the hard way. It took a tragedy to truly understand how important the little things are. And now, more than ever, I know what greatness truly is: greatness is the little things done right day-after-day, week-after-week, year-after-year, until eventually doing the right things the right way every time and every day becomes second nature. Rest in peace Katie, I will miss you and I promise to not forget the wonderful life that you led. And to the reader:  Do not be ignorant to the fact that one letter, one phone-call, or conversation could change someone's life. It's never wrong to do the right thing.

Thanks for reading. JG