Encountering Truth: You Matter

Last year about this time, a group of citizens in our community started a theme day to promote the intrinsic value of people everywhere. Their mantra was “You’re Awesome” and for an entire day everywhere you went, there were signs and labels and stickers proclaiming that no matter who you are, “You’re Awesome”. Amid political conflicts already gaining steam, road rage, domestic disputes, and incessant bad news from newscasters, “You’re Awesome” was soothing to the soul. The date may have been chosen strategically, but the campaign seemed to magically sprout along city streets one day only to mysteriously disappear overnight.

During those few hours, I’ve often wondered about the after effects of hearing someone say, “You’re awesome” while adding a smile, a firm handshake, or even a shoulder hug. Watching the interactions on the evening news was both entertaining and touching. There were many smiles, lots of laughter, wide-eyed wonder and, as expected, some blank stares. What if the ball that started that day had kept rolling, instead of rolling to a stop? What if “You’re awesome”, instead of a one-day campaign, had become a trend? It didn’t.

Seth Godin, Social Media Marketing Writer says, “Do you know what people want more than anything? They want to be missed. They want to be missed the day they don’t show up. They want to be missed when they’re gone.” His wisdom of human emotion and psychological need crosses the boundaries between professional and personal life. In this compendium, we know as our interactive lives, we have basic human needs: to know we have value, when we’re absent there’s a void where we belong, we see that our contributions make a difference. People need to know they matter.

If you knew it could change someone’s day, would you say the words, “You matter” to them? When you see someone sitting alone in a coffeehouse, could you hand them a card that says, “You matter”? How difficult would it be to pay for your groceries and slip the cashier a card with the imprint, “You matter”? Not that difficult. In fact, all of these actions are easy.

         No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world.

–Robin Williams

Cheryl Rice, President of Your Voice Your Vision, had an idea; one that can change the world with two simple words, spoken with conviction. You Matter – Cheryl has started the ball rolling on an event that could become a trend. November 1, 2016, marks the beginning of the You Matter Marathon. This is not a marathon run with your feet; it’s a marathon run from your heart. In just a few short weeks, this You Matter Marathon has grown to over 7,000 registered participants from 28 countries.

Marathons run on feet are strenuous, require strict discipline, exhaust your physical capacity, and taps every energy reserve you have. And … the benefits are all about you. The You Matter Marathon (No Running Required) taps your emotions, requires human kindness, and builds your capacity for sharing joy with people who need to know they matter. And … The benefits are all about them.

What do you think? Golden Rule? Treat people the way you want to be treated. If you’re ready to learn more about the You Matter Marathon, please follow this link to the story and get in on this new trend from the beginning.

Take a peek at this short, 2-minute video of You Matter magic.

Join me and over 7000 other people who are participating in the You Matter Marathon. (No Running Required) Sign up soon at YOU MATTER MARATHON. You Matter cards are provided to you through the mail, but must be ordered by October 31, 2016 so they arrive in time to use them.