Relevance

“I’m just trying to matter.” – June Carter Cash

From the habits of favorite pets…to tales of audacious entitlement…to sharing existential beliefs, there is nothing like a 5-hour car ride to fuel a lively conversation.

On a recent trip home from volunteering in Louisville, KY at the SkillsUSA National Leadership Conference, my travel companion and I wandered into a conversation about the underlying need that all humans have to be relevant.

He started it, stating matter-of-factly, “Of course, everyone has a need to be relevant.” As though it was the most basic of common knowledge. And while I agreed with the premise that we all want to be relevant, I had not though of it in terms of a need, a requirement for individual fulfillment.

Relevant – adjective
1. Bearing upon or connected with the matter at hand; pertinent.

The idea of relevance goes a step beyond the traditional idea of people having a purpose. Relevance requires context. Context then enhances purpose. The result? Our purpose is elevated by the dynamic it generates within us and with the world around us.

Social animals, our desire for relevance reflects our need to connect with others, our community, and our environment.

How then do we become relevant?

Some people find relevance through work. Others through the art or music they create. Still others through their families. If you were hoping for a secret sauce recipe here, you will be disappointed. The whole point of relevance is that it’s different for everyone.

But here’s a clue, regardless of our path, we inherently value that which gives us a feeling of relevance. So, pay attention to what lights you up.

If we are very lucky, what makes us feel connected is also valued by others. It is not required to feel relevant, but when that blissful phenomenon occurs, we have the kismet of both feeling valued and valuable. We matter.