It doesn’t matter what has happened.
The poor choices. The unhealthy decisions. The saying “yes” when I should have said “no.” The spending money I should or shouldn’t have spent. It doesn’t matter what I’ve drank or ate or smoked. The being a youth pastor. The moving across country with the wrong guy. The giving away too much of myself. The mistakes I’ve made and the hurt I’ve felt. It doesn’t matter.
It doesn’t matter who I’ll marry. Or kiss. Or make love with. Or who I don’t marry, or kiss, or make love with. It doesn’t matter if I never walk down the aisle or go up in a hot air balloon. Or if I never date again. It doesn’t matter if I never leave the country, or even the state of New York, ever again. It doesn’t matter if I live until I’m 80, on my own, cooking for one.
It doesn’t matter who or what comes against me. It doesn’t matter if people talk smack about me behind my back, or to my face [or my blog.] It doesn’t matter if I mess up. Again. Because I will mess up. Again and again. It doesn’t matter if I lose my job, or face adversity. It doesn’t matter how many times I fall down on my face, or my bum. It doesn’t matter.
What matters is behind all that. It matters how I build my character. And live with intention. And trust my heart. And never give up. Ever.
A lot of really excellent truth in this post. I think we all need to be reminded (often) that the things that we spend too much time worrying about, the things we let slow us down, the things we let ruin our lives, really don’t matter.
You are amazing. Thank you for being so willing to share.
Emily @ Relishments recently posted..Snow Day
*smiles*
Your right, girl!
There’s not a damn thing you can do with the past accept learn from it
Val @ Balancing Val recently posted..Balancing Money–Pack Yo’ Snack!
LOVE this post.
mindy @ just a one girl revolution. recently posted..not a quitter anymore
Man.
One of the experiences that inspired me to start writing my blog was reading the biography of Louisa May Alcott (Little Women, etc.). The bio included several long sections of her journals, which she kept throughout her life. I was really struck by how much of her thought life was focused on her character development. She wasn’t necessarily writing about her friends, her successes, failures, etc. — was she reflecting on whether or not she was becoming a better person. The dreams she wanted to live up to were dreams about being more patient, loving, giving…
That’s what this reminds me of — that our journey is about character development. And in that sense, the hardships, the messing up, all of it — those are chances for growth, if we would just focus on what, yes… matters.
Bethany @Bridezilla Bakes recently posted..Vegetable Bolognese
LOVE this post. You and I are a lot alike, and this post really hit home with me.
So true, my friend. I think so often we (or at least I) automatically generate plans of how my life should go, what should happen, what will make me happy. How do I really know? And why am I setting conditions on my own happiness? I should be living each day like it matters, and work on becoming the person I want to be. Things will always go wrong in life, unexpected things will always happen, and what really matters is the person behind all that and what you stand for.
Love this post <3
This is incredibly beautiful and insightful, as well as comforting to someone like me. How very simple, but profound. xoxo
Becca recently posted..When are you due!
Lovely post, daer. And lovely photos too!
Danielle recently posted..9 Months
this is such a well-written, real, TRUE post. i love your ability to put into writing what so many people need to hear!
Sarah (Sarah Learns) recently posted..thoughts on meditation
So true for all of us. We need to mark this and read, and re-read this when we feel like we are messing up. Thank you for showing what really matters.
love this! you are so true, H.
Lindsey @ SoundEats recently posted..Deep Dark Chocolate Cookies
Great post. It is the journey of our mistakes and successes that make us the people we are and as long as we continue on this journey we continue to grow.
Jamie recently posted..Another Day Another Dollar
This is beautiful!! You have such a great perspective on life. Thanks for helping spread it to others. I absolutely love your blog, and everything you have to say. I’m so glad I found it!
Allison @ Happy Tales recently posted..Just do it
This is…perfect. You’re so right. SO RIGHT!!
I’ve thoroughly convinced myself that the only things that matter are a) career b) man. And, let’s be honest here. One of t main reasons I want a particular career is to meet more people and eventually find a man that way. Sorryimnotsorry.
Obviously I still desire those things, but will they make any difference at the end of my life? (pardon the morbid-ness, but it’s true.) That’s why I am so unbelievably glad/blessed to have my faith…my God. Shewww…I’m having a moment. haha.
Gracie recently posted..shorts- tights- and everything nice
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by ThenHeatherSaid, Rachel Goulet and stepfanie romine. stepfanie romine said: @ThenHeatherSaid I loved this post! http://www.thenheathersaid.com/2011/01/13/matters/ [...]
Love this post! And those people talking smack well you cam send them to me! I may be small bit I’m mighty!
Joy recently posted..Rewarding yourself ED related
I like this post. Very inspirational. Don’t ever give up!
I was about to ask how and why you are so amazing and beautiful but I think your post pretty much answered that for me.
Kayla recently posted..The Big Return
I’ve been feeling this same way lately. Someone in my life is making me feel like my self-worth is defined by my education and what I end up doing with it, which is making me resent school at the moment. I’m growing tired and irritable at this person’s perception of my life, and I’ve learned from it that it it doesn’t matter what I do or don’t do and who I do or don’t do it with, it just matters that whatever I am doing, I’m doing it for God.
Lauren recently posted..The Art of Personal Blogging