The Story Behind 'Your Life Matters'

a positive picketer spreads his message on city streets

Kate Hartsel |

Ben Hall has been standing in various locations, including Golf Rd. and Hastings Way, reminding people of the simple things in life with signs that say ‘Your Life Matters’ and ‘You Are Beautiful’.
Ben Hall has been standing in various locations, including Golf Rd. and
Hastings Way, reminding people of the simple things in life with signs that
say ‘Your Life Matters’ and ‘You Are Beautiful’.

Everybody has a story. Ben Hall, a 21-one-year-old Eau Claire resident, hopes to get that simple message across to as many people as he can this summer. He’s doing it by holding up handmade cardboard signs spray paint-ed with messages such as: “Your life matters” and “You are not your mistakes” or “You are beautiful.”

Hall’s own story is both simple and complex. He hopes his signs encourage people, particularly people who may feel life isn’t worth living. Hall knows what that can feel like. When he was a teen, he became severely depressed, started cutting himself and tried to commit suicide. He hopes his signs can get people thinking and get them to reach out for help.

“Sometimes they take a picture and sometimes they yell something not as nice, ... but every once in a while I see a person’s face and I know
my message has hit home. That makes it worth it.” – Ben Hall on his positive messages 

“I’m hoping these messages plant a seed of hope,” said Hall. “I try to think of the most effective thing I can convey to people in a couple of seconds that will let them know that their life does matter.”

Hall spends between four and five hours at a day several days every week trying to spread these messages of hope by standing at the high traffic locations holding up his signs. He said he gets a variety of responses.

“Sometimes people shout something positive like ‘your life matters too,’” said Hall. “Sometimes they take a picture and sometimes they yell something not as nice like ‘get a life,’ but every once in a while I see a person’s face and I know my message has hit home. That makes it worth it.”

Hall, who had a difficult childhood and got into a lot of trouble in school and the community as a teen, has found a lot of peace in his own life through a strong Christian belief, but he doesn’t want to convert people so much as convey to them that their life is worthwhile.

“I don’t want to shove anything in people’s face,” said Hall. “I just want them to know I love them even if no one else does.” 

Hall does believe that he needs to do more than just say he believes in Jesus and go to church in order to live as a Christian.

“Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car,” said Hall. “I’m just trying to let people know that God put them here for a reason. None of us are here just to take up space.”

Hall doesn’t want people to think he wants money or even recognition. He was very hesitant to tell his story for publication.

“The last thing the world needs is another religious person selling God,” said Hall. “I decided to let my story be told because it is another way to reach someone and get them thinking.”

Hall said he’s not naïve. 

“Having a relationship with God doesn’t mean bad things aren’t going to happen to you,” said Hall. “But how are people going to know what’s important if they don’t know even know they are loved.”

Hall works at a local factory and will be returning in the fall to Central Christian College in Missouri where he is working on a degree in Christian counseling. In the meantime, don’t be surprised if you see him quietly standing by the road with a simple sign that may make you smile, think or perhaps save your life.