Several years ago, we received an extraordinary email. We believe it was written by a counselor who signed it “Ceep.” Its message is timeless, invaluable, and every year, it reminds us of what truly matters. This is our Christmas card again this year.
Dear Brave Souls,
This Christmas, let’s remember something we already know deep in our bones: what truly matters isn’t the stuff. It isn’t the gifts, the decorations, or the perfect holiday table. What matters is showing up—arriving with a heart-wide smile that radiates from within.
What matters, even if just for today, is telling every soul you love that you love them, that you appreciate their presence on this earth, and that your life is richer because they are here.
Stuff doesn’t matter.
What matters today is sharing stories, singing songs, telling jokes, lending a hand, helping carry coats. It’s patting children on the head, listening to elders with patience, asking about everyone’s pets, teasing teenagers about their crushes.
It’s seeing the gawky ones and telling them they’ll grow tall and fine. It’s telling those awkwardly dressed that their spirit shines brightly. Criticize nothing—not others, and not even yourself.
Bless everything that can be blessed. Speak only from the best part of your heart. Leave the day-to-day irritations and judgments behind, just for this one day.
Stuff doesn’t matter.
What matters is that we accept people as they are—messy, undone, anxious, wounded, frightened, imperfect. All the ways life can weigh someone down, often through no fault of their own. There is no wrong in showing mercy, comforting the weary, nourishing the spiritually hungry, or loving another human being.
Stuff doesn’t matter.
The gifts you’ve already bought are enough. One more trinket, one more candy, one more item—none of it will improve your worth or demonstrate love better than your presence and kindness. Material things break, rot, fade—but acts of love and kindness endure forever.
Stuff doesn’t matter, I promise.
What matters is you.
Your presence here, your humanity, your capacity to love—this matters more than any object or decoration. Even if you don’t feel it, your heart is made for one purpose above all: to love, to give, and to receive love.
The fact that you have this time on earth to bring goodness to life—that is what matters.
Your heart is fully equipped for Christmas always. It needs no stores, no ribbons, no shopping. It only needs your resolve, your discipline, and your willingness to fill it regularly from your own spiritual well.
Your heartfulness is the greatest gift you can give. I am certain of this. You could give me a new wardrobe, a Taj Mahal, or a Ferrari—but those gifts would fade, break, or be forgotten.
If, instead, you give me your loyalty, your care, your concern, your presence, your faithfulness… if you make me laugh, comfort me, and remind me that I have a place on this earth, you have given a gift that lasts forever.
That is what matters.
—Stu
