Huntington Beach City School District

May’s Mindfulness Monthly Memo focuses on finding meaning. Meaning is the sense that we matter, that we make a difference, and that we’re part of something greater, which helps our lives feel purposeful and make sense. 

The feeling that we matter or have significance is a basic human desire and a critical factor for mental, emotional, and physical well-being in life, school, and work. 

Mattering is also not done in a vacuum and is dependent on others, and fulfilling this vital human desire is a community endeavor. 

In other words, others around you know they matter because of you. 

To cultivate mattering, ensure people feel noticed, important, and needed.

1. Notice others: One of the easiest ways to help someone feel like they matter is by committing to making eye contact and authentically checking in with the people you see every day.
2. Communicate others’ unique significance: To know we matter, we need evidence of how we matter. Taking the time to provide intentional, thoughtful affirmations about people’s positive strengths, traits, and behaviors brings invaluable meaning to their lives.
3. Show others they’re relied on: Feeling like we don’t matter can induce stress, frustration, and profound despair. Research suggests that people who are more at risk for severe depression tend to recount themes like “nobody would miss me if I was gone” or “no one cares about me.” In other words, when we don’t feel like we matter, it’s easy for nothing to matter. Showing others that you need the people around you and depend on them is critical.