by Carol Wise

Created on: June 14, 2010   Last Updated: June 17, 2010

I don’t think there is one answer to this question. We as humans have lives and experiences that have varied and given us different perspectives. For those of us who have experienced a bit more in life, we realize that what matters most in life can change as we grow and mature. This is because our view changes as we encounter more and more of this thing we call life. Those views are influenced by the challenges we encounter. If one has never experienced a loss of one kind or another, then they will have no idea what it is to lose that “item” and they may take for granted, the fact that they have that thing.

Some of us are born into more fortunate circumstances than others, if you have always had certain things, then you have no idea of how important they are. That is until you lose them. I have often heard people express annoyance with their parents - their parent is too demanding or distant or didn’t give them enough. Having lost my mother when I was three, I envy these folks and the problems they feel they have, because I lost my mother so early. Of course, the relationship I might have had with her is idealized and the relationship I have had with my father has been less than perfect in comparison, but to have some relationship is better than having none.

Love seems to be something we search for in life, first from our parents and then from others as we grow. When a person does not feel loved, it leaves a huge hole in their lives, a void they search to fill, many times settling for less than they deserve. Feeling loved is very important for most people. All too often, though, conditions are placed on whether another person will love us. Unconditional love is what we seek and don’t always find. In that search, we may end up finding religion. For many this can matter most in life and they will push others to find and experience what they have found there. It can differ greatly from culture to culture and mean very different things to each individual, and for some, it means little or nothing.

Health can mean a great deal in life, if a person has suffered illness throughout their lives, to find or become healthy can be extremely important. To those who have never experienced ill health can be unaware of what a gift they have. If you have never lived with pain or struggled to breathe, it is difficult to understand what it is to endure these things, or what a joy it can be to be free of the pain or struggle. Health can also be related

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