When I started this journey, I thought I was building a business. A year later, I realize I was building something much bigger. Over the past year, I've written a book, launched a store, created products, built campaigns, learned new platforms, met new people, and spent countless hours trying to figure out how to share a message I believe deeply matters. Some days have felt exciting. Other days have felt discouraging.
There have been moments when I wondered if anyone was listening at all. If I'm honest, that's probably been the hardest part. Not the work itself. The waiting. The hoping. The wondering if something meaningful can ever break through the noise. Because we live in a world that moves fast. People scroll quickly. Attention is limited. There are endless distractions competing for our time, energy, and focus. Yet the things that matter most rarely happen quickly. Relationships take time. Trust takes time. Character takes time. Kindness takes time. Becoming takes time.
Over the past month, we've walked through Living What Matters together.
We started with Identity.
- Who are you?
- What makes you unique?
- Who are your people?
- What makes you feel loved, safe, and seen?
Then we moved into Connection.
- How do we strengthen our relationships?
- How do we show up for others?
- How do we encourage, appreciate, support, and lead well?
Then we explored Impact.
- How do we make a positive difference?
- How do small acts of kindness create ripples that extend beyond ourselves?
And finally, we arrived at Direction.
- What guides your life?
- What values do you live by?
- How do you want people to feel after being around you?
- What difference do you hope to make?
- How do you want to be remembered?
As I reflected on these questions, I realized something. This journey was never really about social media. It wasn't about followers. It wasn't about views. It wasn't even about selling a book. Those things matter, and I hope they continue to grow. But beneath all of that is something deeper. It's about helping people reconnect with what matters. With themselves.
With their families. With their communities. With their purpose. With God.
It's about creating conversations that might not happen otherwise. It's about helping someone pause long enough to think about the life they're building. It's about reminding ourselves that small acts matter. That people matter. That kindness matters. That the way we show up matters.
One of the biggest lessons I've learned this year is that influence isn't really about attention. Influence is about making a positive difference. And legacy isn't simply about being remembered. It's about what continues because of you. The kindness you pass on. The encouragement you give. The values you model. The love you share. The conversations you start. The lives you touch. Those are the things that continue long after the moment has passed. As we close this chapter of Living What Matters, I don't have all the answers.
I'm still building. Still learning. Still becoming. But I believe this more strongly today than I did a year ago:
- People matter.
- Connection matters.
- Small acts matter.
- The ripples matter.
And if something we've shared this month has encouraged you to reflect, reconnect, strengthen your pack, or live a little more intentionally, then every step of this journey has been worth it.
Thank you for walking it with us.
🐾
