One of my teachers in acupuncture school, Julia Measures, told us that everything matters. Nothing is too big or too small to be considered. When we look at the stars, they seem to be these tiny specks of light. If we were to approach them in space, they would be close in size to our Sun. Relative size is an illusion.

Every detail is important. When typing an email using an ‘t is essential. If I mean “I can’t go” and I write, “I can go” instead the entire meaning of sentence shifts. This could create an unfulfilled expectation on the part of the other person. Two keystrokes completely change the meaning. Likewise, a facial expression, tone of voice or hand movement are essential parts of human-to-human communication.

In the same vein, every moment of our lives is special. Now, there are moments that are negative, and we don’t even want to remember. However, even those moments may be an opportunity for learning or growth. The moments that we look back on fondly definitely shape our world. These two opposite types of events provide the yin and yang of existence. I’ve heard it said that we can’t know light without darkness, and we can’t know happiness without sadness. Embracing the moments is essential. They don’t all have to be roses and unicorns. In fact, that would be a very boring existence. Coming to terms with the negative aspects of life is part of the process.

Every person also matters. Our best friend or our nemesis, both are important to us and our lives. Harry Chapin’s song “Cat’s in the Cradle” pointed out the importance of people and our relationships to them. The father is too busy to spend time with his son and eventually the son reciprocates the behavior by being too busy for his father. Even strangers are important. I know people who say that a stranger is a friend you haven’t yet met. Whether you hold this idea or not, it’s important to not discount anyone. Human beings are social creatures and need interaction with others. Meeting different people from different walks of life gives a view of how life shows up for others. Whether that person is rich or a pauper, they have something to share and they matter.

There is a sacredness in every moment, detail, person, and breath we take. Inspiration is a way of connecting with the universe and it is the term used for breathing in. With every inhale, we take in the world around us, and it gives us life. More than just life, it gives connection. We are constantly breathing in molecules that were elsewhere, from other humans or plants or animals. With the food we eat, we are taking in aspects of other living creatures, plant, or animal. That is a sacred connection. By our breath, we speak and put our thoughts and life into the world. That is the sacred at work.

The final thought here is from a story I’ve heard many times. A person walks down to the beach after a huge storm. He sees a child throwing starfish back into the ocean. There are thousands of starfish lying on the beach. The adult tells the child that what they are doing doesn’t matter, there are too many starfish to make a difference. The child, seeing through the eyes of the sacred, replies that it matters to this one. None of us can solve all the world’s problems. We can’t even solve all of our individual problems. However, whatever actions we take matter both to ourselves and those who our actions impact. Remembering that everything matters can guide us as we take the next steps in life.