“Everyone is obligated to say: The world was created for me” (Sanhedrin 37a).
“We have the importance of an entire universe.” (Rashi)
This does not refer to an illusory selfish feeling of arrogantly thinking to be better than others. Every human is a one-time phenomenon. When a person is born, it’s like the creation of Adam; each is born in a specific time of history and in a specific environment to fulfil a “soul” task that nobody else can. Never before, never again. This uniqueness gives you great importance. Only you can accomplish your unique life task.
Heaven doesn’t create people in vain. If you are here and alive, is because the Creator knows you are important. So much that the sages say:
“he who kills a human being is guilty of having destroyed an entire universe” (mishna Sanhedrin 4:5).
If you struggle to find your place in life, know that the first and most important reason why we all are here is to correct the Soul that has been given to us, the environment we live in is part of Heaven’s plan, and our doubts and problems are the subtle voice of Hashem asking us to talk to him.
sources: Talmud tractate Sanhedrin, Rashi commentary on the Talmud, Alai shiur, Gateway to happiness, Garden of Emunah
