I'm not sure if it is really possible to answer this question for anyone other than myself. When a person's focus is off themself and on the problems around them, I think it will become clear to them what matters most. By using the gifts we are given to help others and improve the world in our own small part of the entire earth, we honestly can affect the whole world. In doing these things, I really believe someone can find out what really matters to them. So it really all goes back to living a radical life. Impacting the world around me and eventually (hopefully) the entire world helps me keep things in perspective, and assists me in understanding myself better, which helps me to really, truly know what matters.
Ultimately, I believe it matters how we live our lives. The actions we take and the choices we make effect us not only in this world but in the next. So, to sum it all up..What really matters? How we live our lives, and not only how we live them, but maybe how we use them. by use, I mean how we take our lives and apply them to other people's needs.
So that was a bunch of rambling that hopefully had some sense.
So what really matters to me personally would be how I live my life in relation to God and the message He has commanded me to share with the world. I try to make it my goal, every day, to live with my day focused on Christ and to show unconditional love to everyone...but I mess up. I have bad days. Does this mean I have lost sight of what matters to me, or have I just forgotten to acknowledge Christ in my actions? Also, the effects of my actions are very important--in the long run, have I shown love to those who are easy and also hard to love? Have a I brought them closer to God with His love, or have I convinced them that my Christianity is fake...hopefully always the former, because that's what I strive for everyday, with God's help.
What really matters is up to each individual person. Their worldview helps define what really matters to them.
I get so caught up in myself and what I want and what I "need." Everything is all about me. I have to be constantly reminded that I am so fortunate to even have the things I have. When I see the distress other people are going through, it brings me back to reality. I realize how self-centered I am.
For me, helping people in need and showing them God's love is what really matters. There is so much hurt and violence in the world and what we need is love. However, I don't want to just help people, because of guilt. I want to have pure motives. But I human, so will i ever have completely pure motives?
Leah, I really liked reading what you had to say. Since we as people are so opinionated, our individuality shines through what we deem as right or wrong or what matters to us as a whole. I definitely agree with you and understand where you are coming from with the self-centered lifestyle, and I think we as humans experience that throughout daily life. We do need to realize that there is so much more than worldly things out there. We need to become helpers and show people God's love like you said. And by doing so we can experience selfless compassion.
What really matters is something that the whole world struggles with. It's like the question why are we here? What really matters in life is how you further God's kingdom. Did you lead people closer or farther away. Did they see Jesus when they looked at you? Even though this is what really matters I get caught up a lot with what college I might get into, grades, and other wordly things and even though they are important they are not the most important thing. God is what really matters.
May I respectfully disagree with what is stated here? A lot of the other answers included how everyone has their own opinions and this one jumped out because of the asertiveness that this is the only way. I know this may be what is important to you; however, you say that "what really matters in life is how you further God's kingdom" just after bringing up that it is the whole world that struggles with the question of why we are here. This seems to me that it is implying that everyone's duty is to spread the word of God and to help everyone stay focused on God. I would like to point out the fact that not everyone believes in the Christian God, or even a god at all. I am one of those people, and though I can remove myself from this conjecture that I need to let everyone "see Jesus when they [look] at [me]," I still feel slightly threatened that you may not completely accept my faith. I do not know if this is true, and God Speed if it is not; however, I do not believe God would want people shoving their religion down other people's throat. I'm not going to go around asking every Christian I see, "How CAN you believe in God?" and try to make them give up their faith to follow mine. I know you aren't saying you are doing this, but you imply spreading your faith to everyone, even the non-believers, through hoping EVERYONE sees Jesus when they look at you and "furthering" God's kingdom. Some of us do not believe in God even while we dearly want to - we just can't. Some of us believe in another god entirely. Maybe this is what is important to you, but I have qualms about your implying that God is what really matters to everyone in the world. Hopefully, you do not take offense to this, I certainly do not mean to bash your beliefs in any way - I envy those with such faith in God dearly. I just wonder if you might reconsider what truly matters - maybe one's own belief and finding their individual truth? Or revising the wording to more imply that this is what matters for you. I just find it hard to believe that God is all that matters when there is so much more to this world, like love in other humans. Much appreciated, Raewyn Duvall
This is such a broad question, but some people may see this question and have one answer for it. This is the problem, though. Most of us are so caught up in our own opinions and our thoughts on certain things that we don't listen to other people. We don't listen to our parents when they say doing our chores will help us in the future, we don't listen to our teachers (most of the time) when they tell us that doing the essays that we hate will help us in college. We don't listen to other people because we are selfish by nature. Everyone is, and I think it is our job to open our minds to the thoughts and feelings of other people. I think this is one of the things that matters. Open your mind up, open your heart up to other people. This in turn will bring you happiness. Yes, people are going to make you feel unhappy if you take the risk of opening your heart, but I think the risk is worth what the outcome is. Loving other people and knowing they love you just as much is the best feeling in the world. It's awesome to look at your phone after a long day at school and sports and see a text from your boyfriend or friend saying, "Hope you had a good day!" Love conquers all in the world. Spreading love is bolded in my list of things that matter. Going to a friend's house and just watching a movie and stuffing yourself full of chips and cookies makes you feel happy, right? To me, happiness is also one of the things that matters the most. The simple things like waking up and smelling bacon cooking on the stove on a Saturday morning (or afternoon c: ) are what matter. Because those things make you happy. Finding those small things that make you happy is important, but so is finding those things that matter to other people. Imagine how much closer you would be with your friend if you would talk to her about her, not just you? The next time you're complaining about how awful your day was, think about her first. It could make a huge difference in your relationship, especially the trust aspect of it. I used to send out texts to each of my friends every other day, telling them how much they meant to me or how much they made me laugh that day. And recently, I've been so caught up with my own needs that I haven't sent one to them. I've been so caught up in my grades and in my personal life that I don't take the time to think about how their days are going. Next time you're asked how your day went, make sure to be interested in what made their day good or bad. I promise you it will impact your relationship in a huge way. So not only finding your own happiness, but the happiness of others is important as well.
I'm a Christian, yes, and I do believe in God. I believe your faith in God is another thing that matters, although that is not always in the front of my mind. That is a part of our sinful nature, but at the same time, I think if you believe in God and you try to practice what He says in the scripture and in Jesus's teachings, your sins are at the back of God's mind, too. He forgives every sin you have ever committed, and He always has His arms wide open. I've learned this over the past year as I have struggled with stress and a lot of personal demons inside of me, and as weird as this sounds, I've learned that just sitting in your room and talking to God about your day and your struggles, He helps without saying a word. If you ask Him a question, I promise it will be answered. Just ask. He dries up your tears, too. He's the perfect best friend. If you're crying, talk to God, yell at Him, ask Him why. I promise once you're finished crying, you'll think to yourself "I'll be okay, won't I God?" It's like he's patting you on the back and drying up your tears. When you feel lonely, talk to Him. When you had a good day, thank Him. When you're worried, tell Him. When you have questions, ask Him. You may not get an answer right away, but it will come. A relationship with God, whether you are a Christian or Jewish or any religion, is yet another thing on my list of what really matters. Who you believe in is who you believe in, none of us really know the answers questions about the Afterlife and who God really is. Why do we argue over it? Because, like my previous statement, we are selfish and close-minded. It tells us in the Bible that it is not our job to judge other people, but to shine the light of God on them instead. "As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind." (Romans 14:1-13) This verse speaks a lot to me, especially in the world we live in today. Who are we to judge the girl that is reading by herself? Maybe she had a bad day, maybe she is just so engrossed in her book that she just can't put it down. Who are we to judge someone who is struggling with their grades? She may have lost someone dear to her, she may have a bad home life, she may just not be able to focus. She could be trying her hardest, but you would never know, would you? Because you have it in your head that she is "stupid." I've heard this word thrown around a lot recently. But honestly, you have no idea what she is going through. Don't judge people on how they look, but how they act. Don't judge the boy that comes into the doctor's office and has autism. He may look or act funny, but I promise his heart is bigger than anyone's in that room. These are just a few things on my list of things that really matter. I know I've written a lot, and some of it is ramble, but I hope it makes sense.
What really matter? I am going to answer this question as "What really matters to me?" I feel like my priorities change all the time. Often I know the difference in what should matter and what should not, but my personal wanting gets into the way and I blur material items and spiritual needs. It is so easy for me to get wrapped up in things I see and that I want, but that feeling of awe always dies, and I am left empty and wanting more. I found a quote by C.S. Lewis that nicely sums this up for me. It goes, “If I discover within myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world." Again and again I am not fulfilled, and I realize that earth is not the place that I was meant for. I think that this is the main reason Christianity can draw me in so much. I think that the thing that matters most to me, truly, is the belief that there is something better after this life. With a life of nothing ever being enough, the thought that there is something more that will fill me up and make me happy for ever. Happiness also ties along with this. Happiness is the most important thing that a person can possess. If you think about it, if you are happy, you do not need anything else. You are content. You ask for nothing else. An assured existence of happiness is what a mother wishes for her child or a husband for his wife. It is the ultimate gift you could give someone, if you could. Happiness is promised in another life with God, one that I feel as if my soul in craving. That is what is truly important to me right now.
I feel the exact same way. I am always looking for something to fill this spiritual gap. I often times wonder if my faith is strong enough to fill my need, and how I could intensify and grow in my strength. By reading your post I now understand that I need more happiness and joy in my life.
I completely agree! I get so caught up in the worldly things that I forget that there is so much more to life. Knowing that there is something greater than what we have now is scary yet calming. I love when you say "Happiness is promised in another life with God, one that I feel as if my soul is craving." I love the way you worded that and I feel the exact same way. And I agree Lexie, I've haven't really put things into perspective until your post.
I think it depends on the type of person you are. For me, one of the things that I think really matters as a Christian is the way people view you. When people see us do they see God in us? I know sometimes people don't if ever. I think that as Christians we want to be like Jesus and try to show others what he is like by trying our best to be like Him. Some of my friends who aren't Christians, think that some "Christians" can be hypocrites and they think most Christians are like that. So I think it is important to really act like Jesus so non Christians can see that there are good people are like Jesus.
I completely agree. As a Christian myself, I think we need to be a good example of a Christian, because there are so many people that think Christians are hypocritical. I do think that as we want others to see us acting like Jesus, we should also be careful, that we don't get too caught up in our self-image. We don't want to be so caught up in our self-image that we forget the reason we want to know others' opinions of us.
FIrst, I would like to start off saying i respect and understand where you are coming from. However, as one of those people who has a problem with some christians being Hypocritical I have a suggestion. I think it is great that you want to act like Jesus so that you can show his love to non christians. But maybe you should approach it differently- You want to be a good person because that is right NOT because you are a christian. We get mad at the "christian" because he/she tends to only do things because that is what christians do. You should want to be good and spread love because you find it in your heart to do so. And even if God is in your heart and is making you want to spread love than do so. But do it because of your soul and who you are. DONT only do it because you call yourself a christian! ( this is just my opinion and suggestion- remember you dont have to agree with me:) believe what you want to because you can )
Going after what you believe in, what you're passionate about, makes a radical life. Trying to reach a higher purpose than just shooting for things you want and instead look at what you think needs to happen in the world to make it a better place. It can be big or small changes you make, it doesn't have to be huge. I saw this movie called "The Cove" about dolphins in Japan being taken from the ocean and sold to water parks. The ones not chosen were slaughtered. Things like this make me want to take radical means to change horrific incidents like this.
I think that what really matters is following whatever you're passionate about. Wether you're really involved in your church, volunteer and do community service, love to paint or sing or act. Doing what you love is the most important thing at least in my opinion.
People ask me this all the time, and to be honest, I have a difficult time answering it. Every single person you ask will have a different answer than the one before because we are all different. And that is what is so beautiful. Being different means we have different opinions and different choices. And I think we should take those opinions and choices and use them. Use them for whatever we deem worthy. Whatever we are passionate about. My passion is crew, but sadly Im not allowed to do it anymore because of a continuing injury. But I put everything I had into that sport. Crew revolved around everything I did: the food I ate, the amount of sleep I needed, the water i drank, the weather, what I did that weekend...E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G!! I was difficult and I hated it at times, well most of the time, but I loved it also. Gliding across the water, crossing that finish line after a race, knowing that we did great was the best feeling in the whole entire universe. Everyone needs something that they are happy doing. Something they can be proud of. Something they have accomplished. Something that can change their life. That is what is most important. Finding something you love and doing it.
Upon seeing the question “what really matters?” it’s nearly automatic to say “God” or “finding something you’re passionate about.” Yes, these are both quintessential to most all girls in this class, but I can’t say they’re what really matter to me. They give me something to live for, in the sense of pure day-to-day happiness. What really matters to me is leaving an impression on people and being remembered. I don’t know how many chapel talks and honor council skits have told me that ten years from now I won’t be remembered by the grades I make. Rather, everyone is going to remember my character. This absolutely terrifies me. No, I don’t cheat on tests or anything ridiculous, but I have put so much effort into my grades. What if nobody remembers I was that girl that got an 800 on her math SAT? The one that had her highest GPA her junior year? What if people don’t remember me from what I take the most pride in? And what happens if after all this, I don’t get into my favorite college? Will I even remember my accomplishments? After I leave GPS or this class, I want my peers to remember that I was intelligent. Even though, most people wouldn’t guess that at the first glance. Maybe acting on a passion is what really matters to some people. From Chadarryl Clay’s basketball career to Unsa Shafi’s community service, they’re completely dedicated to their respective passions. Yet, I don’t have an overbearing passion outside of school. The thing that really matters to me is leaving an impression on people. I want them to remember more than just my character, since that’s apparently what they’re going to recall. It matters that I’m remembered by what I’ve done not just how I did it.
I really like what you said in some ways, but I also disagree with it to an extent..You said that it's "nearly automatic to say God or finding something you're passionate about." I know what you mean, because a lot of these answers seems like "church answers", which just drive me crazy. What I mean by that is the answers that Christians just fire off automatically without really thinking about them. I don't know if you were saying that it's negative to give these typical answers, but I just wanted to point out that for some people these answers may seems stereotpyical, but they are also straight from the heart--for instance, if Rachel kelly had said this, no one would have trouble believing her, no matter how cliche it may have seemed. I also wanted to comment on your answer with some questions because i'm a bit curious. Why do you care about what other people think? Why does it matter to you to leave a good impression on them? How important is it to you to be perceived as smart, intelligent, etc? Why does it matter that other people think that? I sort of think it really all goes back to living a radical life...maybe that is what will leave an impression.
I have the same fear. My life has been in my school work. Some people ask my why I care so much if I get a grade that is still good but is not optimal for the goals I have set for myself. All I can say in reply is that it is important to me to reach my goals. But is it not important to other people that I reach these goals? It the fact is....it probably isn't. I want my accomplishments to be remembered and the fact that I accomplished them honestly for me is a given. And it is not so much that I care what others think, I know I am a good student because I work and study for my grades. For me, my successful grades are important to me and I really hope I am remembered for that.
I believe that to each person it's different, but to me, I believe that what really matters is happiness. Each person should be happy with their life. They should be accepting of any decisions that they've made, and be willing to go back in time and make the same choices again. Like the saying goes, live your life to the fullest. You shouldn't worry about what's happening tomorrow, because you are probably missing something that's happening today. Because, at the end of the day, it only matters what we have done for others in our lifetime and how we helped them and how we feel about our own life. People shouldn't focus on having the new computer, or the new shoes, because in the end, it is not really going to matter. When we die, our new prada handbag does not go up to heaven with us, just what's in our hearts. My two themes are fate and choice, and one big point that I have learned is that you shouldn't worry about changing things in the future, you should just worry about living your life at the current moment. So, what really matters is living life with happiness, because your mood effects your entire day.
I think that happiness is an important concept for everyone to live with, but is there a price tag on happiness? You say that everyone should go back in time and be confident in his/her decisions. Take Natalie Holloway for example- if she was still alive, she certainly wouldn't make the decision she made the day of her death. I realize this is an extreme circumstance, but do you believe people make bad decisions? Should regrets be called regrets or are they just learning experiences? What if what makes me happy is at the cost of others? If a boy cheats on his girlfriend, he could be pleased in that moment. He's enjoying his life, but the girlfriend could be broken hearted. Is it right for him to do so since he's living with his own happiness? Should we live life for the happiness of others or our own happiness?
What really matters...
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if it is really possible to answer this question for anyone other than myself. When a person's focus is off themself and on the problems around them, I think it will become clear to them what matters most. By using the gifts we are given to help others and improve the world in our own small part of the entire earth, we honestly can affect the whole world. In doing these things, I really believe someone can find out what really matters to them. So it really all goes back to living a radical life. Impacting the world around me and eventually (hopefully) the entire world helps me keep things in perspective, and assists me in understanding myself better, which helps me to really, truly know what matters.
Ultimately, I believe it matters how we live our lives. The actions we take and the choices we make effect us not only in this world but in the next. So, to sum it all up..What really matters? How we live our lives, and not only how we live them, but maybe how we use them. by use, I mean how we take our lives and apply them to other people's needs.
So that was a bunch of rambling that hopefully had some sense.
Oh and I'm going to add to this...
DeleteSo what really matters to me personally would be how I live my life in relation to God and the message He has commanded me to share with the world. I try to make it my goal, every day, to live with my day focused on Christ and to show unconditional love to everyone...but I mess up. I have bad days. Does this mean I have lost sight of what matters to me, or have I just forgotten to acknowledge Christ in my actions?
Also, the effects of my actions are very important--in the long run, have I shown love to those who are easy and also hard to love? Have a I brought them closer to God with His love, or have I convinced them that my Christianity is fake...hopefully always the former, because that's what I strive for everyday, with God's help.
What really matters is up to each individual person. Their worldview helps define what really matters to them.
ReplyDeleteI get so caught up in myself and what I want and what I "need." Everything is all about me. I have to be constantly reminded that I am so fortunate to even have the things I have. When I see the distress other people are going through, it brings me back to reality. I realize how self-centered I am.
For me, helping people in need and showing them God's love is what really matters. There is so much hurt and violence in the world and what we need is love. However, I don't want to just help people, because of guilt. I want to have pure motives. But I human, so will i ever have completely pure motives?
Leah, I really liked reading what you had to say. Since we as people are so opinionated, our individuality shines through what we deem as right or wrong or what matters to us as a whole.
DeleteI definitely agree with you and understand where you are coming from with the self-centered lifestyle, and I think we as humans experience that throughout daily life. We do need to realize that there is so much more than worldly things out there. We need to become helpers and show people God's love like you said. And by doing so we can experience selfless compassion.
What really matters is something that the whole world struggles with. It's like the question why are we here? What really matters in life is how you further God's kingdom. Did you lead people closer or farther away. Did they see Jesus when they looked at you? Even though this is what really matters I get caught up a lot with what college I might get into, grades, and other wordly things and even though they are important they are not the most important thing. God is what really matters.
ReplyDeleteMay I respectfully disagree with what is stated here? A lot of the other answers included how everyone has their own opinions and this one jumped out because of the asertiveness that this is the only way. I know this may be what is important to you; however, you say that "what really matters in life is how you further God's kingdom" just after bringing up that it is the whole world that struggles with the question of why we are here. This seems to me that it is implying that everyone's duty is to spread the word of God and to help everyone stay focused on God. I would like to point out the fact that not everyone believes in the Christian God, or even a god at all. I am one of those people, and though I can remove myself from this conjecture that I need to let everyone "see Jesus when they [look] at [me]," I still feel slightly threatened that you may not completely accept my faith. I do not know if this is true, and God Speed if it is not; however, I do not believe God would want people shoving their religion down other people's throat. I'm not going to go around asking every Christian I see, "How CAN you believe in God?" and try to make them give up their faith to follow mine. I know you aren't saying you are doing this, but you imply spreading your faith to everyone, even the non-believers, through hoping EVERYONE sees Jesus when they look at you and "furthering" God's kingdom. Some of us do not believe in God even while we dearly want to - we just can't. Some of us believe in another god entirely. Maybe this is what is important to you, but I have qualms about your implying that God is what really matters to everyone in the world. Hopefully, you do not take offense to this, I certainly do not mean to bash your beliefs in any way - I envy those with such faith in God dearly. I just wonder if you might reconsider what truly matters - maybe one's own belief and finding their individual truth? Or revising the wording to more imply that this is what matters for you. I just find it hard to believe that God is all that matters when there is so much more to this world, like love in other humans. Much appreciated, Raewyn Duvall
DeleteThis is such a broad question, but some people may see this question and have one answer for it. This is the problem, though. Most of us are so caught up in our own opinions and our thoughts on certain things that we don't listen to other people. We don't listen to our parents when they say doing our chores will help us in the future, we don't listen to our teachers (most of the time) when they tell us that doing the essays that we hate will help us in college. We don't listen to other people because we are selfish by nature. Everyone is, and I think it is our job to open our minds to the thoughts and feelings of other people. I think this is one of the things that matters. Open your mind up, open your heart up to other people.
ReplyDeleteThis in turn will bring you happiness. Yes, people are going to make you feel unhappy if you take the risk of opening your heart, but I think the risk is worth what the outcome is. Loving other people and knowing they love you just as much is the best feeling in the world. It's awesome to look at your phone after a long day at school and sports and see a text from your boyfriend or friend saying, "Hope you had a good day!" Love conquers all in the world. Spreading love is bolded in my list of things that matter.
Going to a friend's house and just watching a movie and stuffing yourself full of chips and cookies makes you feel happy, right? To me, happiness is also one of the things that matters the most. The simple things like waking up and smelling bacon cooking on the stove on a Saturday morning (or afternoon c: ) are what matter. Because those things make you happy. Finding those small things that make you happy is important, but so is finding those things that matter to other people. Imagine how much closer you would be with your friend if you would talk to her about her, not just you? The next time you're complaining about how awful your day was, think about her first. It could make a huge difference in your relationship, especially the trust aspect of it. I used to send out texts to each of my friends every other day, telling them how much they meant to me or how much they made me laugh that day. And recently, I've been so caught up with my own needs that I haven't sent one to them. I've been so caught up in my grades and in my personal life that I don't take the time to think about how their days are going. Next time you're asked how your day went, make sure to be interested in what made their day good or bad. I promise you it will impact your relationship in a huge way. So not only finding your own happiness, but the happiness of others is important as well.
I'm a Christian, yes, and I do believe in God. I believe your faith in God is another thing that matters, although that is not always in the front of my mind. That is a part of our sinful nature, but at the same time, I think if you believe in God and you try to practice what He says in the scripture and in Jesus's teachings, your sins are at the back of God's mind, too. He forgives every sin you have ever committed, and He always has His arms wide open. I've learned this over the past year as I have struggled with stress and a lot of personal demons inside of me, and as weird as this sounds, I've learned that just sitting in your room and talking to God about your day and your struggles, He helps without saying a word. If you ask Him a question, I promise it will be answered. Just ask. He dries up your tears, too. He's the perfect best friend. If you're crying, talk to God, yell at Him, ask Him why. I promise once you're finished crying, you'll think to yourself "I'll be okay, won't I God?" It's like he's patting you on the back and drying up your tears. When you feel lonely, talk to Him. When you had a good day, thank Him. When you're worried, tell Him. When you have questions, ask Him. You may not get an answer right away, but it will come. A relationship with God, whether you are a Christian or Jewish or any religion, is yet another thing on my list of what really matters. Who you believe in is who you believe in, none of us really know the answers questions about the Afterlife and who God really is. Why do we argue over it? Because, like my previous statement, we are selfish and close-minded. It tells us in the Bible that it is not our job to judge other people, but to shine the light of God on them instead. "As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind." (Romans 14:1-13)
ReplyDeleteThis verse speaks a lot to me, especially in the world we live in today. Who are we to judge the girl that is reading by herself? Maybe she had a bad day, maybe she is just so engrossed in her book that she just can't put it down. Who are we to judge someone who is struggling with their grades? She may have lost someone dear to her, she may have a bad home life, she may just not be able to focus. She could be trying her hardest, but you would never know, would you? Because you have it in your head that she is "stupid." I've heard this word thrown around a lot recently. But honestly, you have no idea what she is going through. Don't judge people on how they look, but how they act. Don't judge the boy that comes into the doctor's office and has autism. He may look or act funny, but I promise his heart is bigger than anyone's in that room.
These are just a few things on my list of things that really matter. I know I've written a lot, and some of it is ramble, but I hope it makes sense.
What really matter? I am going to answer this question as "What really matters to me?"
ReplyDeleteI feel like my priorities change all the time. Often I know the difference in what should matter and what should not, but my personal wanting gets into the way and I blur material items and spiritual needs. It is so easy for me to get wrapped up in things I see and that I want, but that feeling of awe always dies, and I am left empty and wanting more. I found a quote by C.S. Lewis that nicely sums this up for me. It goes, “If I discover within myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world." Again and again I am not fulfilled, and I realize that earth is not the place that I was meant for. I think that this is the main reason Christianity can draw me in so much. I think that the thing that matters most to me, truly, is the belief that there is something better after this life. With a life of nothing ever being enough, the thought that there is something more that will fill me up and make me happy for ever. Happiness also ties along with this. Happiness is the most important thing that a person can possess. If you think about it, if you are happy, you do not need anything else. You are content. You ask for nothing else. An assured existence of happiness is what a mother wishes for her child or a husband for his wife. It is the ultimate gift you could give someone, if you could. Happiness is promised in another life with God, one that I feel as if my soul in craving. That is what is truly important to me right now.
I feel the exact same way. I am always looking for something to fill this spiritual gap. I often times wonder if my faith is strong enough to fill my need, and how I could intensify and grow in my strength. By reading your post I now understand that I need more happiness and joy in my life.
DeleteI completely agree! I get so caught up in the worldly things that I forget that there is so much more to life. Knowing that there is something greater than what we have now is scary yet calming. I love when you say "Happiness is promised in another life with God, one that I feel as if my soul is craving." I love the way you worded that and I feel the exact same way. And I agree Lexie, I've haven't really put things into perspective until your post.
DeleteI think it depends on the type of person you are. For me, one of the things that I think really matters as a Christian is the way people view you. When people see us do they see God in us? I know sometimes people don't if ever. I think that as Christians we want to be like Jesus and try to show others what he is like by trying our best to be like Him. Some of my friends who aren't Christians, think that some "Christians" can be hypocrites and they think most Christians are like that. So I think it is important to really act like Jesus so non Christians can see that there are good people are like Jesus.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree. As a Christian myself, I think we need to be a good example of a Christian, because there are so many people that think Christians are hypocritical. I do think that as we want others to see us acting like Jesus, we should also be careful, that we don't get too caught up in our self-image. We don't want to be so caught up in our self-image that we forget the reason we want to know others' opinions of us.
DeleteFIrst, I would like to start off saying i respect and understand where you are coming from. However, as one of those people who has a problem with some christians being Hypocritical I have a suggestion. I think it is great that you want to act like Jesus so that you can show his love to non christians. But maybe you should approach it differently- You want to be a good person because that is right NOT because you are a christian. We get mad at the "christian" because he/she tends to only do things because that is what christians do. You should want to be good and spread love because you find it in your heart to do so. And even if God is in your heart and is making you want to spread love than do so. But do it because of your soul and who you are. DONT only do it because you call yourself a christian!
Delete( this is just my opinion and suggestion- remember you dont have to agree with me:) believe what you want to because you can )
Going after what you believe in, what you're passionate about, makes a radical life. Trying to reach a higher purpose than just shooting for things you want and instead look at what you think needs to happen in the world to make it a better place. It can be big or small changes you make, it doesn't have to be huge. I saw this movie called "The Cove" about dolphins in Japan being taken from the ocean and sold to water parks. The ones not chosen were slaughtered. Things like this make me want to take radical means to change horrific incidents like this.
ReplyDeleteI think that what really matters is following whatever you're passionate about. Wether you're really involved in your church, volunteer and do community service, love to paint or sing or act. Doing what you love is the most important thing at least in my opinion.
ReplyDeletePeople ask me this all the time, and to be honest, I have a difficult time answering it. Every single person you ask will have a different answer than the one before because we are all different. And that is what is so beautiful. Being different means we have different opinions and different choices. And I think we should take those opinions and choices and use them. Use them for whatever we deem worthy. Whatever we are passionate about. My passion is crew, but sadly Im not allowed to do it anymore because of a continuing injury. But I put everything I had into that sport. Crew revolved around everything I did: the food I ate, the amount of sleep I needed, the water i drank, the weather, what I did that weekend...E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G!! I was difficult and I hated it at times, well most of the time, but I loved it also. Gliding across the water, crossing that finish line after a race, knowing that we did great was the best feeling in the whole entire universe. Everyone needs something that they are happy doing. Something they can be proud of. Something they have accomplished. Something that can change their life. That is what is most important. Finding something you love and doing it.
ReplyDeleteUpon seeing the question “what really matters?” it’s nearly automatic to say “God” or “finding something you’re passionate about.” Yes, these are both quintessential to most all girls in this class, but I can’t say they’re what really matter to me. They give me something to live for, in the sense of pure day-to-day happiness.
ReplyDeleteWhat really matters to me is leaving an impression on people and being remembered. I don’t know how many chapel talks and honor council skits have told me that ten years from now I won’t be remembered by the grades I make. Rather, everyone is going to remember my character. This absolutely terrifies me. No, I don’t cheat on tests or anything ridiculous, but I have put so much effort into my grades. What if nobody remembers I was that girl that got an 800 on her math SAT? The one that had her highest GPA her junior year? What if people don’t remember me from what I take the most pride in? And what happens if after all this, I don’t get into my favorite college? Will I even remember my accomplishments?
After I leave GPS or this class, I want my peers to remember that I was intelligent. Even though, most people wouldn’t guess that at the first glance. Maybe acting on a passion is what really matters to some people. From Chadarryl Clay’s basketball career to Unsa Shafi’s community service, they’re completely dedicated to their respective passions. Yet, I don’t have an overbearing passion outside of school. The thing that really matters to me is leaving an impression on people. I want them to remember more than just my character, since that’s apparently what they’re going to recall. It matters that I’m remembered by what I’ve done not just how I did it.
Chappel,
DeleteI really like what you said in some ways, but I also disagree with it to an extent..You said that it's "nearly automatic to say God or finding something you're passionate about." I know what you mean, because a lot of these answers seems like "church answers", which just drive me crazy. What I mean by that is the answers that Christians just fire off automatically without really thinking about them. I don't know if you were saying that it's negative to give these typical answers, but I just wanted to point out that for some people these answers may seems stereotpyical, but they are also straight from the heart--for instance, if Rachel kelly had said this, no one would have trouble believing her, no matter how cliche it may have seemed.
I also wanted to comment on your answer with some questions because i'm a bit curious. Why do you care about what other people think? Why does it matter to you to leave a good impression on them? How important is it to you to be perceived as smart, intelligent, etc? Why does it matter that other people think that? I sort of think it really all goes back to living a radical life...maybe that is what will leave an impression.
I have the same fear. My life has been in my school work. Some people ask my why I care so much if I get a grade that is still good but is not optimal for the goals I have set for myself. All I can say in reply is that it is important to me to reach my goals. But is it not important to other people that I reach these goals? It the fact is....it probably isn't. I want my accomplishments to be remembered and the fact that I accomplished them honestly for me is a given. And it is not so much that I care what others think, I know I am a good student because I work and study for my grades. For me, my successful grades are important to me and I really hope I am remembered for that.
DeleteWhat really matters?
ReplyDeleteI believe that to each person it's different, but to me, I believe that what really matters is happiness. Each person should be happy with their life. They should be accepting of any decisions that they've made, and be willing to go back in time and make the same choices again. Like the saying goes, live your life to the fullest. You shouldn't worry about what's happening tomorrow, because you are probably missing something that's happening today. Because, at the end of the day, it only matters what we have done for others in our lifetime and how we helped them and how we feel about our own life. People shouldn't focus on having the new computer, or the new shoes, because in the end, it is not really going to matter. When we die, our new prada handbag does not go up to heaven with us, just what's in our hearts. My two themes are fate and choice, and one big point that I have learned is that you shouldn't worry about changing things in the future, you should just worry about living your life at the current moment. So, what really matters is living life with happiness, because your mood effects your entire day.
I think that happiness is an important concept for everyone to live with, but is there a price tag on happiness?
DeleteYou say that everyone should go back in time and be confident in his/her decisions. Take Natalie Holloway for example- if she was still alive, she certainly wouldn't make the decision she made the day of her death. I realize this is an extreme circumstance, but do you believe people make bad decisions? Should regrets be called regrets or are they just learning experiences?
What if what makes me happy is at the cost of others? If a boy cheats on his girlfriend, he could be pleased in that moment. He's enjoying his life, but the girlfriend could be broken hearted. Is it right for him to do so since he's living with his own happiness? Should we live life for the happiness of others or our own happiness?