The Importance of Being Important

It is important that we value ourselves as being important, in a good way, in a nice way, in the proper way. Without being pretentious, boastful, proud, we should always think that we have our own special place in this world. We are not beneath others, we are not above them, we are just where we are, equal. By being equal doesn’t mean we have the same amount of money, the same stature, the same big house, the same diplomas and accolades, the same lifestyle, the same brand of shoes and bags, but it simply means we are both human beings, created by God, decent and well-meaning, and that alone deserves respect.

However, our society measures our worth by those tangible things. Our achievements, our successes, high education, awards, perceived clout, positions, etc. Our individual importance to them is determined by what and how they perceive us. Money also gives us power. Power to be treated with more importance than others.

And how do you measure your importance to others? Try inviting them over, say for dinner.
If they show up, then they regard you with importance. If they choose to go to the dinner hosted by some tycoon, socialite, celebrity, politician, for example, at a house in Forbes Park instead, then, that person has some power over you. He has something that you don’t have. He is perceived as more important than you.

When a politician or a daughter or son of a politician posts a photo on Facebook, thousands of people click like. Even if there’s nothing special about the photo. It’s power. Importance. That person has the power to make you think that by clicking like, they would know that you gave them importance, and you, subconsciously are thinking they will remember you and would owe you a bit of gratitude by patronizing them, in a way, they will accord you with the same importance.

About 20 years ago, I borrowed money from a bank. A small amount. Since then, I always got invited to the bank president’s private events at his house. He didn’t know me personally, but his officers got me on the list as a good client. I was thinking, maybe they always wanted to see me to make sure I didn’t run away from my obligation. I was important to them and they made me feel important. They brought me gifts even when there were no occasions. In their minds, I was important because I was a good client of theirs.

About 15 years ago, I wanted to drop by the office of a bank president. I was going to the same building for a meeting and I thought I would drop by to say hello to this newly promoted guy who used to hitch a ride with me when he was just a middle level bank executive. His secretary couldn’t get me an appointment. He was asking too many questions. What was my purpose, my agenda, what it was all about. When I told his secretary I just wanted to drop by for a few minutes to say hello, he never called back. Oh well. I felt a little sad. I can’t say I felt insulted. I just accepted the fact that he thought I was nobody. I was not important in his career. Ang tawag dyan hindi marunong makipag kapwa tao.

In our lifetime, we will encounter many kinds of people. Some will see us as important persons and treat us with respect, some will bow their heads before us because they think they are beneath us, some will not even look at us because they are flying too high believing they are beyond us. It doesn’t matter what they think and believe. What is important is we treat ourselves with dignity. In our hearts we are good people and we always mean well. It doesn’t matter where we are, who we are, what we are in their eyes and in the measurement of this world. What is more important is we continue to believe in ourselves, in our own self-worth, and we don’t lose track of where we want to go.

(To my children)