What Matters Most

This week, while listening to my internal thoughts, I wrote in my journal all the things I accomplished.

Essentially “What Matters Most.”

You might say, “Why is that important to you?”

Often, you and I have competing priorities, yet everything is important.

Of course, we all know that everything can’t be important, and it’s up to us to prioritize it.

It’s then up to us to decide what matters the most in doing those things.

I’m reminded of one of my “Daily Inspiration Quotes,” which features Brian Mulroney having recently traveled to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Brian Mulroney – If everything is very important, then…

“If everything is very important, then nothing is important.”  Brian Mulroney, Statesman of Canada

In essence, “Mulroney’s line is a politician’s version of triage, delivered with the cool authority of someone who’s had to decide which fires get water and which ones burn themselves out.”

Many times, we all seem like firefighters putting out fires in our lives, or not, as we hear the noises around us calling our names.

In my case, I had to discern what matters most to me and what I really needed to accomplish during the week.

By the grace of God, it all worked out so that I met all my internal deadlines and went to sleep very grateful for the ability to manage multiple actions that required my attention.

As each of us takes inventory, there is plenty of noise in deciding what matters most.

Two or three years ago, I read the book “Noise: A Flaw in Human Judgment” by Daniel Kahneman, Olivier Sibony, and Cass Sunstein, which explores how noise—the variability in individual judgments—affects decision-making across various fields.

It’s amazing to me to be able to draw on the books I read and incorporate their lessons into my life.

Sometimes we must just cut through the chaos and reduce the noise around us!

Another book was John C. Maxwell’s Book “Today Matters,” which is all about the importance of daily decisions and actions in shaping a successful future.

You and I probably know people who would rather be spontaneous. For that reason, you may prefer to operate spontaneously.

Because I tend to plan my time, being spontaneous may not always work for me.

Although the book outlines twelve essential practices, referred to as the “Daily Dozen,” three that stand out the most to me are:

Attitude: Choose a positive mindset daily.

Priorities: Focus on what truly matters.

Growth: Seek continuous improvement.

That’s not to say the other nine are not important, as each day brings new challenges.

Today, we honor the life and legacy of the late Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

As a product of the Civil Rights movement, today matters to me knowing that the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. is the “only non-president with a federal holiday named in his honor.”

I vividly remember the theme “Day On, Not a Day Off,” and I did something in his honor to give back to the community.

A Day On, Not a Day Off: A Day of Service | National Association of Counties

A “Day On, Not a Day Off” – Thanksgiving Point

Although not all may support the holiday, I’m grateful for the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, which guarantees freedom of speech and prohibits Congress from restricting the press or individuals’ rights to speak freely.

Did Trump get rid of MLK Jr Day? How the holiday is different in 2026

During Mass Saturday, as I prayed the Rosary, I mentioned that we continue to pray for non-violence on this Martin Luther King Jr. weekend.  It was followed up with the Priest acknowledging non-violence on this Martin Luther King Jr. weekend.

As the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., who was 39 at the time of his death, would be turning 97 this month, think about what matters most to you.

Because I live in Alabama, I have daily opportunities to see the impact of its message and legacy.

“It wasn’t until 15 years after King’s death that civil rights activists finally succeeded in making Martin Luther King Jr. Day a nationally observed holiday.”

“On November 2, 1983, Reagan signed a bill making the third Monday in January a federal holiday in observance of King’s legacy. The holiday was first observed three years later January 20, 1986.”

Therefore, this week, think about what matters the most to you.   Maybe it is limiting the noise that affects your decision-making. Maybe it’s giving back to the community, being less spontaneous, or just being yourself.

“What matters is not wealth, or status, or power, or fame, but rather how well we have loved and what small part we have played in making the lives of other people better.” – Author Unknown.

Blog source: https://mckinleysthoughts.com/what-matters-most/