Loose Leaf Press

What are the things that matter to you?

November 14, 2011 by David Sparkman.

That has to be one of the greatest and scariest questions that anyone could possibly ask you. It is the question that makes you evaluate and re-evaluate your life and create the list of what matters.

The answer is different for everyone, but it is truly telling of what a person’s real values are. What are the things that matter?

If you asked me this question back when I was a consultant, I would have given you very different answer than I would today.

The answer would have been: family, friends, and career. Things that can be measured and compared against everyone else. Family, so that you can show that you care about where you came from. Friends, so that you can show how great your personal network is. Career, so that you can show how you compare to others in your profession.

We are taught from an early age that the measure of a person can be determined by some great social measuring stick. If your values are not aligned to something that can be directly measured, throw it out until your version can be held up to it.

The answer I give you today is the polar opposite from my previous answer.

What are the things that matter to me?

Live Simply. Create Passionately. Prosper Immensely.

The things that matter to me can’t be held up to the great social measuring stick. They are about a state of being. They define and sustain me.

Live Simply.

Live life on the simplest terms you can.

I don’t own a lot of stuff. In fact, most of what I own will fit in a backpack. I have never been very materialistic, but today I find myself a refugee from the consumer economy. If I don’t need it, I don’t own it.

I make it a point to love the people in my life with a full heart. I am not the best at showing it most of the time, but my family  knows that I would lay my life down for each and everyone of them. No conditions. No reservations.

I enjoy the little things in life more. Nothing is more rewarding that wasting away an afternoon playing Legos with my 4 year old nephew. Or taking half a day preparing a meal for my extended family because someone mentions they would love to have something particular to eat for dinner.

Living simply is about balance. Dump the stuff. Spend more time with your family and friends. You will be the better for it.

Create Passionately.

We all have a creative spark that lives inside us. The problem is that most of us don’t give it the passion that it needs to grow.

I create something everyday. When I am creating, I pour all my passion into it. It could be sitting at the computer writing or making a meal for family and friends. When I am creating, I am.

Doodle on a piece of paper. Write a poem. Take an interesting photo. No matter what your passion, you need to take the time and create. Creating is the stuff that nourishes your soul. Give it your passion and let it consume you.

Prosper Immensely.

True prosperity is when you can take your creative passion and make a living from it and keep the rest of your life in balance.

The ability to pour your passion into the things that you love and at the same time put food on the table is beyond rewarding. It gives you the ability to truely live your life.

What are the things that matter to you?

I would love to hear from you on what are the things that matter  on Google+.

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