Larry Kesslin

What Matters Most to Me

Posted on May 7, 2015

We have been traveling for over 3 months now and we have learned so much from our journey. We have learned a lot about each other as a family, we have learned a lot about how to travel more efficiently, we’ve learned how to make friends in countries all around the world and so much more. But for me, the major lesson that I’ve learned is what matters most to me and how I want to change my life when we return to San Diego this summer. I started this journey wondering if what I’ve been seeking is unique to just me and to many Americans that I’ve discussed this with, or is it a global issue? It’s not like I’m solving world poverty or anything, but seeing how different cultures operate and understanding what I like about them has been critical to my personal journey.

I’ve realized that for me, what matters most is people, and the relationships I build. Connecting deeply with other human beings around the world, or wherever I am, is most important to me. It’s not just connecting with anyone though, it’s about connecting with like-minded and like-hearted people who have shared values and shared interests. For when I connect with those people my world gets so much better; when I get into a purposeful conversation with someone, time just flies by. That is what matters most to me.

This concept is nothing new; Seth Godin has been talking about finding your tribe for years. I always thought I knew what he meant by that, but at this point I’m not sure I did. This is something that I have probably known inside for a long time, but not to this level or in this context. The pieces are all starting to fit and this trip has solidified my belief even further. My belief is that upon my return to San Diego I don’t need to seek anything outside my own world. I don’t need to go to anymore big conferences to “tell” people what I’m doing or listen to industry pundits. What I need to do is what Nike is all about; I just need to Do IT! I have been preparing for this part of my life since birth and I’m excited for the next part of my journey, building a tribe and teaching through my own experiences.

Mark Twain said that the two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why. I believe I found out my why last June when I was in Nicaragua. That trip gave me a perspective I hadn’t had before and now I am following my heart and my purpose. My heart needs me to build my new tribe in San Diego. I don’t need to leave the city of San Diego to find what I’ve been looking for. It’s all right in my backyard. In addition, we have two amazing kids and I want to see them grow up every day and be connected to them in a way I wasn’t before this trip. My true north has transitioned from being what I was taught to be to becoming the person I was meant to be. I was put on this planet to do something special, and now it is my time to get ‘er done.

I’m also learning that what matters to me doesn’t need to matter for everyone. It just provides me with ground rules for the types of people that I want in my life. As for my work, if you can call it that, I want to spend my time connecting with others that want more fulfillment in their lives. I want to help them figure out what’s missing, and help them take the action steps they need to take to gain this clarity. That is my purpose, to help successful people find a new definition for success that brings more fulfillment rather than the definition our society currently accepts. At this point it is not complicated; I just need to do it!

To a life well lived….