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Living as if You Matter

I once saw a poster that made a lasting impression. On it was written: Will it matter that I was? 

Those words struck me like lightning bolts. I realized, after 40 years on this planet, I had never felt like I mattered…which explained the seemingly inexplicable angst I’d felt my entire life.

That’s when I made a decision. I vowed to do something ‘important’ so I’d finally feel like I mattered.  And off I went.

I wrote a book, then several others. I appeared on national TV.  I spoke to large audiences. But no matter how loud the applause, it never drowned out my sense of insignificance.

Until I wrote Sacred Success. Then everything changed. The women I interviewed for the book showed me the way to a more meaningful life.

Rather than focus on their fears and self-doubt (which they all had), they were living their life as if they already mattered…as if they had a God given purpose they were determined to fulfill.

Rather than striving to feel important themselves, they were seeking to make a difference for others.   

When I asked one woman what drove her to such stratospheric success, her response echoed what almost everyone told me.

“It’s more than money,” she insisted. “It’s impact. I am motivated by leaving a legacy.”

As soon as I started asking myself:  ‘What is the legacy I want to leave?’ I felt my focus radically shift.

I could finally acknowledge that I DO matter.  I always have. Not because of something great I’ve accomplished. But because I’m here for a reason—to leave my mark on the world, even if it’s only a tiny footprint in the sand.

As Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote: “To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived, this is to have succeeded.”

Have you considered the legacy you want to leave?


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Comments & Feedback

  • Steph

    Hi Barbara,
    I really appreciate this question. At this time, I think I’m grappling with this question. What would it mean for me to matter? How did you come to identify what you wanted or needed to do to matter?
    Thank you so much,
    Steph

    • barbara huson

      oooops, for some reason my response to you, STeph, landed under Shannon’s question. And I don’t know how to change it.

  • Pam Davis

    My legacy I would like to leave is that my artwork has supported and helped women to move through their own legacy and healing journeys.

    • shannon

      This is a beautiful post Barbara ! This quote struck me: “To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived, this is to have succeeded.”

      I know for sure for sure my work as a death doula has helped everyone ( thus far haha ) I have supported. YAY look at me succeeding in helping humanity one death at a time !!!!!! woot woot !!!!!! I want to continue to educate & support people who are a) afraid of their own death, b) who fear the loss of someone they love, and c) the best part, enable them to live fulfilling lives after their loss !!!! Oh yes sireeeeeee, if we do death better we will heal better !!!!!

      I am excited to help anybody & everybody have a much much better experience around death … and the way I see it ? There is nowhere to go but up !!!!! 🙂 🙂

      • barbara huson

        I LOVE your comment, Shannon…and your sense of humor. I’d love you to be my death doula when the time comes. I’m serious! I can’t imagine there’s be a better way to go than have your smiling face by my side!!!

    • barbara huson

      Steph, that’s a great question. I was very lucky in that I knew, from all the pain I experienced around money, that empowering women financially was my purpose. You might want to read Sacred Success where I have exercises to help you find your purpose. By living what I believe God put me here to do imbues me with the feeling I matter. I hope that makes sense.

    • barbara huson

      Pam, I believe you are well on your way to living your purpose. Your art is amazing!!!

  • Joanna "Nicci Tina" Free

    Legacy – yes.

    My vision: transforming the way we see and respond to tobacco, and doing my part to ensure that anyone who wants to stop using tobacco and stay free will receive the education and support to do so, regardless of their socioeconomic status, age or where they are on the planet.

    Thanks so much for asking, and for the work you do, too.

  • Heather dune macadam

    My legacy is writing the book 999 and producing the documentary 999, about the first girls and women in Auschwitz, who have largely been ignored by Holocaust history. I want the world to remember that women are always the first targets of war and aggression and that as long as women are treated as possessions this will never change. Women’s rights are human rights.

    Discovering our power is our legacy for future generations of women.

  • Alex

    Exactly what I needed to read at this time of my life when I am in transition, working low pay part-time jobs just to help pay the bills and give me the flexibility to take care of my 5 kids while also working on my coaching/yoga business. This coaching business is first about helping other women find their life purpose and stepping on this new path and second helping teens do the same. My legacy would be to create new school programs that respect kids’ individuality and magic, teaching them early on to work on their innate gifts and follow their passions.

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Meet Barbara Huson

When a devastating financial crisis rocked her world, Barbara Huson knew she had to get smart about money… and she did. Now, she wants to empower every women to take charge of their money and take charge of their lives! She’s doing just that with her best-selling books, life changing retreats and private financial coaching.

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