Insignificantly significant

I had two contrasting realizations this week. One came to me during an early morning stroll along the beach in Kuantan, Malaysia. My husband and I walked quietly by the shore, with the vast ocean stretching endlessly before us, meeting the horizon in a seamless blend of sea and sky.

It was humbling, almost overwhelming, to witness that vastness. The ocean felt eternal, but we know it’s just a drop compared to the enormity of our galaxy. And even our galaxy is just a tiny speck in a universe filled with billions of others.

What are we, then, in the grand scheme of things? Barely a speck. Insignificant.

And yet, here we are, stressing over delayed food orders, a canceled taxi, or a missed deadline at work.

Standing by the ocean, I felt the weight of these everyday worries lift. Holidays have a way of giving us perspective. They allow us to pause, to reflect, and to realize that most of what we fret about doesn’t really matter.

The realization that we are just tiny, tiny specks in the universe is called cosmic insignificance. Knowing this brings an unexpected relief. It’s freeing to think:

• None of our mistakes are earth-shattering.

• None of our failures define us.

• None of the things going wrong in life are as big a deal as they feel in the moment.

This perspective is like a breath of fresh air. It lightens the unnecessary baggage of stress we lug around in our minds.

As I reflected on my cosmic insignificance, I also became acutely aware of what truly does matter.

Do I matter?

This week also marked my grandmother’s death anniversary. My “Maa,” my mother’s mother. She’s no longer with us, but her memory is a warm, comforting presence in my life.

Maa had a gift—a rare, magical ability to make everyone feel like the most special person in her world.

I know I was her favorite grandchild. Absolutely certain. But you know what? So are my siblings. And my cousins. And even my husband.

She made each of us feel uniquely significant. She saw the good in everyone and made sure they knew it. My calmness, my husband’s infectious laughter, my mom’s love for travel, my dad’s knack for DIY—she celebrated it all.

Maa was an unlimited supply of optimism, good vibes, and unconditional love. She made everyone feel like they mattered the most.

Whenever I find myself questioning, “Do I matter?” I close my eyes, and there she is—her radiant smile, reminding me that, to her, I was the center of the universe.

In this vast, cosmic insignificance, it’s people like her—people who make others feel valued—that bring harmony to life.

What truly matters

While we may be nothing in the grand scheme of the universe, to those who love us unconditionally, we mean everything.

Our daily challenges and worries don’t matter. But people do. The ones who care for us. The ones we care for. They’re what makes life significant.

As this year begins, let’s resolve to remind our loved ones—and ourselves—that we matter. Let’s appreciate the love, the laughter, the shared moments. Let’s not let the trivialities of life weigh us down.

And when we’re lucky enough to stand by an endless ocean or under a brilliant sunrise, let’s take a moment to appreciate how small we are—and how big a difference we can make in someone else’s life.

Here’s to a new year filled with love, perspective, and gratitude.

Happy New Year to you and your loved ones. ❤️