Who Matters Most

There are very few days when I have been unable to write. There were thirteen days in Tibet last year when I thought it would be better to take in Tibet and Mt. Everest instead of writing. And then there was a single day at the end of the year in which I experienced the greatest personal challenge of my business life; I wasn’t in a place where I could write.

Today might have been a day when I could not write. But it isn’t.

Yesterday I gave the commencement speech to the Fortis College graduating class of 2011. I told them that only two things in life really matter: their relationships to other people and the contributions that they make. I believe with every fiber of my being that this is true. Today I had this belief brought home in the most unfortunate of unfortunate ways.

So today, there is nothing about sales here. In its place, I offer you this: Instead of thinking about what matters, spend today reflecting on who matters.

Today, remember to tell those that you love just how much you love them. Tell them what they mean to you. Or maybe just enjoy spending time together. Make the calls to your family members and let them know how much they mean to you, especially the overdue calls that should have been made a long time ago. Make the calls to your closest friends; it’s been too long.

When it is all said and done, the only thing that really matters are the people in your life, your relationships. It’s the “who” that matters most.

“Happiness is love. Full stop.”