There are well over 7 billion people in the world; over 7 billion people with intricate lives, these individuals face tragic negatives, and uplifting positives daily. Where you are located on this planet, and your social status are very indicative of the types of challenges you face. A horrible day for you could include your car breaking down, or losing your phone; for me, it could include my mother's health status, or failing a class; for someone across the globe, or country, or even across the street, their challenges could include not having enough money for food, or not having access to clean water.
I am not here to tell you that "other people have it worse than you," because chances are, you're well aware of that; you are entitled to feel the way you feel regarding your daily struggles and successes. It is important to be proud of yourself when you succeed, and to recognize your pitfalls as well. Additionally, it is perfectly acceptable to take time to cater to yourself; however, it is never okay to discredit the fact that everyone faces these struggles.
Imagine, if you will, what you consider to be the worst day of your life; this day could have been caused by the passing of a loved one, a breakup, getting fired, it could have even been caused by doing poorly on an assignment you spent weeks perfecting. Recall the rage of emotions you experienced: angst, fear, anxiety, agony, pain, disappointment... The list goes on. On days where you experience these unfavorable emotions, it's hard to bring yourself out of the darkness, especially when you continually encounter people who seem as though they just want to pull you further into your despair.
On days like these, horribly bleak, depressing days, in spite of the fact that nothing seems pleasant, or worthwhile, how quickly does your demeanor change when you receive, and accept, the random kindness of a stranger? I don't know about you, but the worst day of my life can turn around instantly when someone who has no idea who I am, or what I'm dealing with, takes time our of their day to just do something nice, be it as simple as a "thank you," when you stay back and hold the door open, or something more extravagant, like paying for your coffee at Wawa with the few spare dollars they have on their gift card. My point is not what the gesture is, but, how the gesture can turn your day from agonizing, to manageable.
As hard as it can be to conceptualize, everyone, from your elderly neighbor down the street or your favorite professor, all the way to people like Beyonce or Leonardo DiCaprio have had at least one bad day in their life, and all I ask of you is to recognize the impact you can have on someone's day. Try to remember how you felt the last time someone random gave you a sweet compliment in passing, and realize that everyone deserves to encounter that random, kind stranger. It takes seconds out of your day to do or say something that could alter someone's entire mood, and change their day for the better.
Be kind. Be that stranger.
