NOVEMBER 2026 - Mattering – The Secret to a Life of Deep Connection and Purpose
Welcome!
In New York City, a simple walk can turn into meaningful conversation. I have always loved talking with people and hearing their stories—from street vendors selling fruit, flowers, and water to public service workers, construction crews, electricians, housing engineers, and so many others who keep this city moving. I am grateful for what they share with me and for the care they bring to making New York a better place.
My friends often smile at how naturally I strike up conversations with strangers as we walk through the city. One day in East Village, I noticed a vintage Rolls-Royce parked outside a small church. Curious, I walked over and began chatting with the driver. When my friend joined us, he warmly invited us to take photos in the beautifully restored car and explained that he was waiting for a newly married couple to emerge from the church. Those small moments sparked by a smile, eye contact, and genuine curiosity—became one of those memorable New York encounters that stay with you.
That is why I was delighted to discover Jennifer Breheny Wallace’s book Mattering – The Secret to a Life of Deep Connection and Purpose. Her message gave language to something I have felt for a long time: each of us needs to know that we are valued and have value to offer. Wallace explains that mattering reaches beyond belonging or purpose because it reminds us that our everyday actions can help others feel seen, heard, and understood. The Mattering Core includes:
· Recognition: You and your actions are valued, and your absence would be noticed.
· Reliance: You feel needed because others depend on you.
· Importance: You feel significant because you are prioritized.
· Ego Extension: You feel cared for because others are invested in your well-being.
· Attunement: You feel deeply understood and meaningfully acknowledged.
Wallace offers a simple equation for this universal need: Feeling Valued + Adding Value = Mattering.
I finally have a name for the philosophy that has long guided my life: Mattering. Each of us has value and daily opportunities to enrich someone else’s life. People matter to me, and learning and sharing their stories enriches my own life in return.
I would love to hear your thoughts on Mattering, over a cup of coffee.
HAT – Holiday Fancy Fall/Winter Hat
This vintage women’s cloche-style fedora, popular in the mid-1950s, is crafted from beige wool felt. It features natural brown gamebird feathers, an asymmetrical brim, and a matching suede ribbon bow.
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