A few years ago, I heard a story that I felt was important to share with readers this week in midst of all the hatred in the air. When all the “big things” in life take over and blind our ability to see the importance of the much smaller aspects, we forget that the “much more important” things in our lives are made up by the little ones. In today’s society, we need to be reminded of the immense amount of power held by something as simple as a smile. Here is his story:

His pen delicately hit the the lone paper on the dining room table; the intricate detail and creation of every letter filled with every sort of confusion and every kind of regret. As his pen lightly danced across the paper, emotion disappeared: there was an apathetic numbness alive in him powerful enough to stop forever flowing waters and dull the sun’s effervescent glow. To sign off, a single tear falls and turns what was pure and abundant with life into a stained and pain-stricken memory.

The streets are alive along with the people who buzz above it. Shop doors swing open and car doors slam shut as the city’s wide array of noise creates the soundtrack behind everyday’s routine. His footsteps carelessly hit the worn pavement as he strolls past every walk of life: the successful businessman, the nurturing at-home mother, the exhausted, unemployed father, the full-of-life gas station cashier, the hard-working and tolerant barista. Despite the many shoes to fill and roles to play, he just couldn't seem to find his place; he was seemingly without purpose and now without life- the light that once shined within slowly turned into a dull glow and moved on to shine in another.

He was alone in a city filled by millions, alone in a sea of surroundings.

The water swiftly moved along, reflecting the assiduous motion that took place in the city surrounding it. He stood at the foot of the bridge motionlessly as his entire being flashed before his eyes and circled in his memory: prancing around the backyard dressed as a valiant superhero in his childhood home’s backyard, meeting his best friend on the dreaded first day of high school, throwing his cap in the air surrounded by his classmates on graduation day. Time stopped and so did the world around him as the memories replayed, but reliving life’s treasured moments just wasn’t enough. The adrenaline kicked in, flowing through his veins and ridding any trace of reason. With one abrupt movement, his feet flew off the paved ledge and the city air began to carry him into the end; everything turned to an empty black and he was swept into the shallows, into the waters of disparity and hopelessness.

Blue and red lights flashed and loved ones drowned in sorrows as the horrible news traveled and police entered his home in search of any signs. Drawers were rummaged through and sheets were thrown to the cold floors as a desperate search for answers took place. Just as hope was lost, there it sat: one tear-stained letter sitting in solidarity on the hardwood table. The few, impactful words it contained revealed the struggle within its author and the problems within the world that surrounded him, proving the possibilities and importance in something so small.

“I’m walking to the bridge to commit suicide today. If one person smiles at me on the way there, I won't jump.”

You see, it's just that simple.