every human being matters

In today’s society, we often value ourselves and others based on income, profession, or material wealth. Legally, we assign a monetary cost to harm done to our physical, emotional, or mental well-being.

Have you wondered how much an employer determines your worth to hire you? Or how much the life or health of a human being is in a specific task?

Or even how important you think you are to everyone else, like actors or politicians seem to do?

And why would it even matter?

How did we come to value ourselves by physical traits, monetary costs and financial burdens, intellectual abilities or anything else we deem “important” to society at large? Is that all we have become?

What happened to a human being and his or her rightful dignity? Aren’t we all really invaluable to society in one way or another?

But the reality is that we are looking at our value in the wrong way…

Our value cannot be summed up in something so transitory as money or functionality in a specific role within a workplace environment. We are living, breathing creatures with personalities and differences that are unique to each individual person. And our talents and capabilities cannot be reduced to money or job descriptions.

What if a person were hired to do a job in a specific role, but they didn’t completely work out? But what if that same person had a fantastic work ethic and wonderful personality that would shine in a different position? What company would be willing to transfer that talented individual to that post?

Or what if a person who did the job they were hired for but only at the bare minimum? Yet they were a sycophant and used their influences to get promoted above those more qualified? Do companies realize who these people are?

How about that person who is really good at their job but not so good with the people around them? Would companies fire them because they weren’t a “team player”? But what if that job entailed quality control? How many of those people really are liked by those who do poor work? The company should scrutinize those responsible for poor performance rather than dismissing the quality control person who identified the flaws.

We need to flip the narrative…

Society values people only if they meet specific criteria or roles. Those with physical, mental, or emotional limitations are deemed not valuable and sidelined, while less qualified but fewer limitations are considered “useful”. If they fit society’s “ideal person” mold and don’t mind conforming at any cost to their dignity, how valuable are they really?

We need to start recognizing people they way they are designed. Each in their own unique capacities and gifts. If we start with ourselves and we really learn who we are apart from how the public views us, we can begin to get a glimmer into the singularity of ourselves as a person. We are set apart from everyone else, but too often we forget that and try to conform to the “norm”.

Start with yourself…

When we begin to gain confidence in who we are and what our special gifts and talents are, we will begin to see where we fit in the human race. For some it is writing, others music, still others art, and others inventiveness. When we begin to gain confidence in who we are and what our special gifts and talents are, we will begin to see where we fit in the human race. For some it is writing, others music, still others art, and others inventiveness. Whatever it is, begin to hone your skills. You don’t do this to prove to anyone else what you are capable of. This is for you alone.

Identify what you’re truly incapable of. Maybe you dream of being a weightlifter, but your body can only handle a pebble’s weight. Focus on realistic goals beyond your desires. We all can’t do everything we dream, but each of us fits into a unique niche. Find yours. Step back from the noise and discover your singular purpose.

Even if the world doesn’t see you for all your skills, you do. You may hold no value to the rest of society, but you begin to see your real value inside.

Don’t think yourself more valuable than you really are…

None of this is to say that you should think yourself better than you really are. You cannot fool anyone if you are incapable of doing something — including yourself — if you lack the ability. Be honest in assessing your skills, then go pursue them.

Stop considering yourself something you are not. Find out what you really are. Only then will you discover your true worth.

You may not be as valuable as you think to everyone else, but you will recognize just how invaluable you really are in your unique place in this world.