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what really matters

By Eve A. Wood, MD

In O, The Oprah Magazine, Oprah Winfrey writes a regular column called “What I Know For Sure.” Re­cently, she wrote about the enduring value of asking herself the question, “What do I know for sure?” Reading her words and reflecting on the mas­sive challenges confronting us as a global economy, fragile ecosystem and splintered planet brought to my mind another enduring question: What really matters?

In a time of instability, we are all facing big fears and tough choices. Some of us are in dire financial straits, forced to choose between paying our rent or our health insurance. Do we cover our mortgages or help pay our chil­dren’s college tuition? Do we take another job—if we can find one—so we can make ends meet? Or, do we stay the course even though we’re racking up debt because we love what we’re doing and have some faith that we’ll be OK in the end?

We make sense of our lives by deciding what really matters. Do we choose to laugh even when we want to cry? Do we say thank you for small blessings even when we feel overwhelmed by the challenges facing us every day? Do we hold tight to our belongings or practice letting go? Do we have potlucks or stop sharing meals with friends? Do we say “I love you” even when we’re angry? Do we hold onto guilt or cultivate acceptance?

Spring is a time of rebirth and renewal, leading many of us to do a little spring cleaning. I suggest you think about what spring cleaning means to you this year, and take some time to do some soul searching. You’ll start to identify what really counts, and divest from most of what doesn’t. You’ll challenge many of your long-held ideas and beliefs and get back to the ba­sics. Perhaps you will realize that you can’t do everything you used to expect of yourself. Or maybe you will let go of some pressures and allow more peace and calm to enter your world. We are all in need of healing during this sea­son, and that involves living authentic lives. What really matters to you?

Source: This is an excerpt from Eve Woods’ column in mtj® (Massage Therapy Journal®) Spring 2009. Read the entire article here.

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