These are the two root words of living a healthy life. This is the question we must answer positively in order to have a happy and fulfilled existence. And even though we may think sometimes that no one cares what we think, say or do, we will be surprised that they actually do. Our family, our friends, acquaintances, strangers, the general public and God. At least one cares. And as long as there is someone in the world who thinks the world of us, we are more than fine.

When I wrote my book, I just wrote what was on my mind, in my heart, from my soul. I had no idea that my words – my life would matter to and resonate with other people. That they would actually spend time to read it, recommend it to friends or write about it. I had no idea that they cared what one Filipino living in New York thought, said and did, when there were two million other Filipinos in the United States, 8 million other Manhattanites surviving in the city, and billions of other people in the world. But because I cared to write, and they cared to read, then the connection, the change in my life and theirs took place.

What we have to remember though is that not everybody has to care. All we need is one person to care and reach out, to encourage us and shower us with kind words and generous deeds – lots or one.

No one is ever self-made. We are all products of the kindness and generosity of the people we meet in our daily lives. That’s what I always say. I wouldn’t be here if my parents did not allow me to live in New York – away from them. I wouldn’t be here if my employer didn’t hire me. If a friend didn’t tell me I was writing worthy words. If he didn’t say I could write a book. If he didn’t introduce me to his other friends. If he didn’t encourage me. These people didn’t have to allow us. They didn’t have to connect us. They didn’t have to give us. They didn’t have to love us. But they did. And in one way or another, in one word or many, to other people or to us directly – they have served as our mentor, our motivator, our mover.

Mentors are the ones who mind. And as long as there is one who asks, “How was your day?”, Tells us to turn on the light lest we fall down the stairs or, be careful with the ants for they might bight, we are lucky. So far as there is someone who holds our hand in this path of life, we have met our mentors. But, we might be holding their hands too.

So long as someone is in touch with us and wants to find out how we’re doing, or have play-by-play details of our dates, or checks in on a regular basis to see that we’re okay. To the common definition, they are ‘friends.’ But to me, they are the daily ‘Fairy Godmothers’ that every one of us need. But if only we are aware and giving, we can play the role too. We can introduce them to prince charming, make them a dress and take them to the ball. Because only when we are all Fairy Godmothers to each other can we all become Cinderellas too – our dreams come true.

So the next time we wonder: who’ll care what we think, say and do? Who will listen, read our work, write to us? Who will call, spend the time, and pay attention? Oh they will. For we care about them too.

Carissa Villacorta is the author of Surreality (UST Publishing House, 2006). In 2007, at 28 years old, Carissa was named 1 of the 100 Most Influential Filipinas in the States. She has made many dreams come true -hers and others'.

For more information, log on to www.carissavillacorta.com