Dear Stranger(s),

I know you do not know me, but the funny thing is, I don't know you either. This is a thank you letter to all of those strangers that I can't thank enough for the kind things that have been done for me. Thank you to the gentleman that complimented my smile when I wasn't feeling very good. Thank you to the woman who made me laugh when I was having a bad day at work. Thank you to the man who struck up a conversation with me while we waited in line at the store. We didn't talk about anything in particular, but it made waiting in that dreadful line just a little better.

Since I started college, I've started to realize how hard the world can be. My stress levels seem to get higher and higher every day. I try not to spend too much time on my appearance anymore because I have other things that I need to focus on instead. So getting a compliment from a stranger can change my entire mood or even the rest of my day. That's what that gentleman had done and I just wanted to say thank you.

Work has been pretty crazy lately too. Work stress is almost unavoidable at this point too. All it takes is a really good customer to make my shift a little better. Customer service is no easy job, but I live to have customers like this woman: kind, funny and one that understood that sometimes there are mix-ups in a fast food restaurant. She didn't get angry. She didn't yell. She simply understood that everyone makes mistakes and she made the entire incident easy to handle. Thank you.

We've all been a few cents short at the cash register. We dig around in our pockets and our purses and we just don't have enough. I'd like to thank the cashiers who cover your three cents for you. They don't have to. And in fact, most times it even makes their own drawer a little short. But in the end, it is always gratefully appreciated by me, so thank you!

I know you didn't know me and I still don't know you. But I just wanted to thank you. Sometimes all it takes is a simple smile and a kind word to help a person get through a rough day. You helped me with get through a few rough days that I had, and I don't think I can ever repay you. It's times like those that remind me that there is kindness still in this world. There are still good people.

It is because of these strangers that I continue the good fortune. I try to compliment at least one person every day. You never know when a simple compliment from a stranger could boost someone's confidence. I always keep some spare change in my purse, in case the person in front of me at the grocery store is a few cents short.

Doing small things like this doesn't take much from your day, but it can give so much to someone else's. You don't have to be a hero to make someone's day. But by making someone's day, you may become their hero.