The Gift of Invitation: How We Tell Others They Matter

When I searched for quotes about invitations, I was struck by how many focused on coping with exclusion - learning to be okay with not being invited. While that's certainly a valuable lesson in self-growth, I was seeking something different. I wanted to explore the profound impact of extending an invitation to others.

There's something significant in reaching out to someone and saying, "Would you like to join me?" Yes, we risk rejection, but in that moment of invitation, we communicate something essential: your presence matters to me. You matter to me.

The concept of mattering has two vital components. First, there's the internal knowledge that we matter - a deep wisdom that our presence on Earth is significant. Then, the external validation comes from our community, which goes beyond mere belonging or connection. True mattering requires our inner certainty and its reflection in our relationships with others.

One of the most powerful ways we signal to others that they matter is by inviting them to join us at the table. While they're free to decline (for now or forever), the sincere and authentic invitation carries the message: you are valued here, and you matter. This raises an essential question for self-reflection: As much as we desire to be invited, how often do we extend that same gesture to others?

There's a difference between saying, "You can come if you want to," and "I want you to come." The first is passive, almost dismissive. The second is an active expression of desire for someone's presence. This distinction isn't just semantic - it speaks to how we value each other and ourselves.  There is a difference, and it matters.