Do What Matters Most Novels & Stories

I see dead people who passed away many years ago. But I have realized many things and regret things I did or didn't do in life. There are more important things than worrying about what I'm going to wear today or they are sure to talk bad about me. That's not worth anything, it's not worth wasting time like that. There are more important things like love, being brave, facing fears, saying what you feel, being yourself. These are difficult things but they are the main thing.

"Really?" "Yeah. Someone gave me an earful yesterday and one thing I grasped and firmly held on to was the fact that you shouldn't let what people would say about your life matter. As long as you know that you're doing your best. You're doing good things. Go for it, that thing that makes you happy." Andrew paused for a while before a smile blossomed. "You have no idea how much that means to me." "I think I do. But there, go win your girl."

⸻ A pause. ⸻ “You don’t get to be everything.” ⸻ The entity responded immediately. ⸻ “Why not?” ⸻ Lena stepped forward. ⸻ “Because then you lose what matters.” ⸻ The entity paused. ⸻ “…Define matters.” ⸻ Lena’s voice didn’t waver. ⸻ “People.” ⸻ Silence. ⸻ Because that— ⸻ was the line. ⸻

At least he gave me another chance to live, and that is what matters the most. Standing up, I hummed to myself; I am so not letting any worry get to me today. All that matters is celebrating myself for being so strong and holding it down when things look awful. I am glad I held my ground for myself when no one did. Today it's all about me, and I will celebrate myself.

“So that’s the only thing holding you back?” “I guess so,” I replied softly. “That’s the most important part. My secretary and I have been trying to brainstorm for the past hour.” My mom laughed. “Oh, Grayson,” she said, her voice warm. “You’re overcomplicating it.” I tilted my head. “How?” What did she mean? “You don’t have to think too much, just support something that feels close to home, or something that actually matters to you.” I went quiet. “I don’t know, should I just help people in the shelter or the homeless people? I mean, they need the money and I’m sure everyone will be happy about it.”

We needed them to see that. We gathered a group. Not to correct. To explore. “When you hesitate,” I asked. “What are you considering.” They answered honestly. “Previous outcomes.” “Potential risks.” “Similar situations.” “And.” “What could go wrong.” Yes. All valid. All necessary. But not always equally important. “How do you decide which matters most,” I asked. They paused. Because that was the gap. They were considering everything. But not prioritizing it. “You are treating all memory as equal,” I said.

You will, at the end, when you find yourself alone, you will appreciate the things that actually matter the most. Love. That is the only constant that will bring you the things that you need and the things that you never expected. So your story might end up sad; you might lose focus for just a short while. But remember that you are not complete if you have not shared your life with at least one person that mattered the most. We all are going through the hardest times in our lives. We are losing our loved ones to a battle bigger than us. But even if you do not believe, there are things such as hope, faith, and sparkles of miracles.

It didn’t need to be dressed up to be real. Before bed, I stood by the window again, watching lights flicker across the street. Lives unfolding in ordinary ways. People making quiet promises to themselves without knowing that’s what they were doing. I realized then that the most meaningful promises weren’t about permanence. They were about presence. About choosing to live your life as if it mattered now, not later, not when conditions were perfect, not when someone else confirmed it was safe. I didn’t need to say anything out loud. The promise was already being kept.

"Mom, it doesn't even matter. Who I love or don't love doesn't even matter anymore." "Why does it not matter?" I look over at Alyssa. "She is the reason it doesn't matter. She is my only focus. I don't have the time anymore to worry about myself and my relationships." My mom rubs her hand across my cheek, wiping away tears that I didn't even know were there. "Baby, your feelings do matter. You have to take care of yourself as well as your baby. If you don't learn that now, you will be miserable. Go on upstairs and take a bath. Go relax and clear your head. Your dad and I will keep an eye on Alyssa. When you get done, your dad and I have a gift for you and Alyssa."

He laughs and shakes his head at me. "Here is the thing kitty." "It does not matter how much you smile, how much you laugh, or how much you tell them you love it. People will only see what they believe is true. No amount of screaming, crying or teaching will change their mind. They will see our lifestyle as wrong. The sooner we forget what others think, live free all the time, the sooner we can live the life we want". "Look at it this way kitty, those that matter don't mind, those that mind don't matter. Not to us" I nod, he is right, people are going to point and say it is wrong every day.