Comments on: What Really Matters….

By: Olivia Antonic

Olivia Antonic — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 06:00:11 +0000

Thank you for you courage in sharing such a personal side of your life. Some things we just cannot change…
The only control we do have , is how we react to whatever life throws at us.
Reading between the lines, even though there is pain, you show such graciousness and serenity. You have embraced life with gratitude and your dealings with people are sincere.
There are so many people who are living with emotional pain and who can benefit from your strength and experience. No need to ‘hide’ away and be a ‘loner at heart’.
It is impossible to give – without receiving !!!
Best wishes and gentle thoughts,
Olivia

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 08:09:21 +0000

I was given away at 3 weeks old.
I was reared by an aunt and uncle. My aunt (who I call my Mom) never tried to get me to love my birth mother, and was very intimadated when she was around. (I was reared in the south- my birth mother lived in the north (she still does) , and is still alive – now 80. I’m 62.
I hesitated to write this, because I know I’m gonna get bashed, torn down, and a lot of other stuff from readers who will not understand, but…….
I will not try to get close to her. I call occassionally, that’s all I’m doing, out of
respect. My Mom died 10 years ago – it wasn’t perfect, but she reared me , sent me to college with her own money, and took care of my kids when I went to work. I seek no relationship with my birth mother or siblings. I speak kind words when I call, and I really am concerned when I call, but it’s really not there with a mother-daughter relationship. She never really had time for me, and once when I visited earlier up there when my kids were little, I suggested that maybe they could come up and visit during the summer — my birth mom said, I don’t have time. That’s what I’ve dealt with all my life. Just sad because I never felt like I belonged anywhere. I never told anybody about thiis in the family. I excelled in everthing I attempt. I am a loner at heart.
I was reared alone, and I have many, many gifts given to me by the Lord. In so many ways I’m blessed, but because I don’t want to get hurt, I keep a very low
profile. I call on Mother’s Day, and her birthday, and once maybe a month. Now
she speaks of the grandchildren – (they’re grown with a life of their own) I tell them what she says. I write this with no tears in my eyes, but when I’m sad, that’s what I think of – that I was given away. I pray and ask GOD for it to go away quickly. I’ll be alright …. Thank you for reading this .

By: Drew

Drew — Mon, 24 May 2010 13:19:56 +0000

Craig, I stumble upon your page by asking this same question.I have been away from work for a few months, and realize that my security was not in my work-but God. Also, the important things and people I had already. It took me time away from work to understand and appreciate, what really matters money can’t buy and that is love, time with love one and the value of a sound mind.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 02:51:40 +0000

man i feel this im somebody from the streets and this really inspired me to just live i dont care if you ever read this or not you did a damn good job i appreciate you for writing it.

By: Craig Harper

Craig Harper — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 21:39:00 +0000

To my very-enlightened and mature 14 year-old reader – you are very welcome…

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 21:29:00 +0000

Whoa, This was amazing. I’m just a middle school girl doing a speech about “What I Believe Really Matters in Life”. I came across this post, and I believe this changed my life. I know none of my scenario’s seem important or overwhelming, but reading this as a 14 year old girl, It moved me. I noticed how much I have going for me in my life, and how I should take advantage of that while I’m still here, Living and surrounded by tons of people that really do love me, for me. I should show them love back and just be grateful for the life I have. This made me notice how stupid I have been for the past 3 years getting caught up in Middle School drama. Losing friends along the way, changing myself for what I always thought was better, but I lost my character in all of it, changing me into some girl I’m not really sure who she is anymore. But thank you so much for writing this, It taught me so much about loving and what really matters, not popularity… but being someone who everyone loves and just being a kind-hearted person.
Thanks.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 13:17:00 +0000

Allow me to take your blog post one step further with a variation....
About 20 years ago a close friend's father committed suicide because he was unemployed and couldn't feed his family.
In the past 3 months I lost a (formerly) close friend that I hadn't seen in years to suicide in response to increased pressures at work. Married with 4 children, a steady job, nice house, the works.
Less than a week ago, a charismatic, married, successful local weatherman killed himself in his garage.
It's important to note that the things that "matter the most" do not necessarily include yourself. In other words, no amount of "temporary" emotional pain that you are suffering is worth the lifelong, generational pain that you thrust on the ones that care for you the most when you take your own life.
I can't believe that kids can ever get over the haunting feeling that they weren't good enough to make their father / mother want to live.
I recognize that people that end their life are hurting and in need of help. I just believe that it needs to be said that when you end your life you are amplifying all of your pain and pushing it onto your loved ones to deal with.
Thanks for letting me release some lingering anger.

By: Alex Shalman

Alex Shalman — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 00:57:00 +0000

Mr. Harper,

Great post, one of my favorites from you. I look forward to hosting it in the Personal Development Carnival this Sunday.

Best regards,
Alex Shalman

By: Hueina Su

Hueina Su — Sun, 25 Mar 2007 01:00:00 +0000

Craig:

Thank you for sharing this beautiful, heartfelt post with the Carnival of Healing. The Carnival will be up at my blog today. It's a great reminder to focus on what really matters and not let the "small suff" in life get in the way. Thank you!

Warmly,
Hueina
Intensive Care for the Nurturer's Soul

By: Craig Harper

Craig Harper — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 03:23:00 +0000

Hey Damion.

It's good to be loved, thanks.

Here's some for you

( )

...that's a BIGass hug