I love reading about people who lived before me and learning how they faced their demons and overcame tough stuff. Rosa Parks, Eli Wiesel, Corrie Ten Boom, Maya Angelou. The list is endless. And I like listening to those in my community, the old and the young, hearing their stories of what they lived, the experiences that shaped them, made them who they are today. Their stories fascinate me.
Everyone has a life story. Everyone's life is worth something.
When I was in grade six, my teacher turned me onto the love of history. I was quiet, never talked, and she helped me put voice to words through writing. She told me about Thomas Edison. She talked as if he was her best friend, like she really knew him. Then she asked me to write about him. I remember finding tiny little light bulbs and putting them all over my paper and I saw him, really saw him as a person, a human being wanting to discover something. He became real to me too.
Since then, I've loved history and the people that fill the spaces. To me, everyone matters. Every life is a gift. Some people do extraordinary things like Edison, others overcame hatred, bigotry, bullying and abuse. Others simply show kindness to help those less fortunate hold onto hope. The focus of each life is incredible.
The thing that changed my life was when someone said, I mattered. What I wanted mattered. Who I was mattered. What I thought mattered. It took a long time for me to get that but now that I have, everyone I look at, everyone I listen to, I see the same about them.
Happy Thursday, Guys.
6 comments:
What a great post, Nikki! I love history too and how the people before us have affected us today. Yes, everyone has a story and it is what we do with our own personal stories that affects the folks around us.
I was really busy last week with company and then we had an ice storm which caused us to lose our power for a while which is why I didn't get by to visit last week.
Hope you have a super weekend and thank you for sharing your thoughts with us today.
Christmas blessings,
Sandi
It is so true that everyone matters. You may not realize how your life influences others, but it does in both small and big ways. Wonderful post, Nikki! Have a great week!
“History isn't about dates and places and wars. It's about the people who fill the spaces between them.” Jodi Picoult.
What a great start to your post, and those words are so important. It is about the people, and people learning to live together to help each other and to have more harmony with each other.
I feel the world still has a way to go,but we mustn't give up on each other. If we could all do our best to make our little corner / part of the world a happier place perhaps it may have a knock on effect ... it would be nice wouldn't it?
We all matter, each and every day.
Have a good Friday and a great weekend. Where do these weeks go to?
All the best Jan
Nikki, this was so good and so intuitive... everyone's life matters, I think that is why many people go astray... they don't know in their core that their life matters too... xox <3
Yes, reading about the faith of others that have gone before us is quite powerful. I have also been blessed with relatives that had great faith. I still remember two of my great-grandmothers, whom I had the privilege of knowing. Their great testimony of faith still speaks to me today...
I have always said that we are specks of matter that matter a great deal to God.
GOD BLESS!
Love that quote. And yes, we will always remember not the date, but the feelings people leave us with. When someone reminds you of your worth, it's a memory worth remembering.
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