There is no unimportant person

Have you ever red the label on a bottle of cream of tartar?

Kind of a personal question, I know, but go to the spice rack and look at the label. My brand states:

“Cream of tartar is a by-product left after the fermentation of grapes into wine. From the Mediterranean area, it is used to stabilize beaten egg whites and in baking powder.”

Isn’t it fascinating that something as apparently worthless as pulverized grape goop could yield a product responsible for the meringue topping on your coconut pie.

Everything has worth.
Everything has purpose.
Everything has value, be it grape goop or a person.

Everyone and everything has a role to play in this world. The challenge comes from finding out just what that might be.

A sense of belonging — of being wanted — of having a purpose — is essential and precious.

What employee wouldn’t work harder if they felt valued by their employer? What person wouldn’t respond to the gentle encouragement of their partner? What child wouldn’t try harder if her teacher made her feel honored and worthy of praise?

Granted, sometimes it’s hard to find worth. Years of feeling unimportant long ago buried the goodness inside some. But it’s there. Look for it.

When you find it, nurture it, stroke it, comfort it