Quite often, we get caught up in our own lives and problems. When this happens, we may forget to acknowledge that other people are going through problems of their own. Everyone is going through something. Everyone. Whether you consider someone’s problem big or small is a personal opinion. What could be something insignificant to you could be breaking someone else’s heart. This idea makes some people angry, which is understandable. Some people go through the worst of the worst while others seem to be coasting by. To you, your life may seem so much worse than someone else’s. This may be true and it may be not. In actuality, no one actually knows what everyone around them is going through on a daily basis. It’s simple: life isn’t fair. Some of our lives will be harder than others and that’s just the way it is. However, our experiences and the obstacles we overcome sculpt us into who we are.

I think we always need to keep this in mind when we are interacting with others. Little actions we take every day could make or break someone’s day. Saying hi to a kid you may not know as well could put a smile on his face while he is swimming in a sea of depression. Inviting a new friend over could prevent her from going home and slitting her wrists. Sitting with someone who is alone at lunch could brighten the day of a kid who doesn’t want to go back to their unhappy home.

Some days you may ask yourself “why me or why them?” This is a completely normal question and one should never be ashamed is this thought crosses their mind. This certainly does not mean you are wishing your problems upon someone else. It simply means you wonder why these things happened to you. And unfortunately, we will never know. Whenever this idea comes to my mind, I always think about two of the most important things my dad has ever taught me. The first being that there is always someone out there that has it worse than you and the second being no matter how bad life gets, it is always going to get better. I always try to carry these lessons in the back my mind, especially when I am struggling. Yes, I may have faced obstacles in my life, obstacles that have torn me down, broke my heart, and made me question how I can keep living, but here I stand healthy and happy. As far as I can tell, I have it pretty good. I have a family and friends that love and support me, food on the table, clothes to wear, and am currently receiving a wonderful education.

Everyone is struggling. Everyone. Just because you don’t know about someone else's problems certainly doesn’t mean they don’t have them. Always keep this in the back of your mind and be aware of the little things. If you are comfortable, share with others how you have overcome your own obstacles. For all you know, your kindness, advice, knowledge, and awareness could save someone’s life.