Have you ever thought about how lucky you are to know the people in your life? Think about it, really. Where would you be without them? You probably wouldn’t be where you are today.

People come in and out of our lives like waves; some waves come crashing in, altering the position of the rocks or seashells. Other waves are soft and gentle, they may just ever so slightly shift the sand. Either way, the water strikes the shore leaving its mark before making its way off into the deep beyond.

This is how I think of people, as different waves. Some people will come into your life maybe for a day or so, a meal in the dining hall or a quick “hello” as you pass by. Either way, they’ll leave a mark on your life. Hopefully, it was for the better. Maybe that “how are you?” or quick smile really changed your life. Maybe it made you happy, thinking “everything will be alright,” taking you out of the stress of now.

Then there are the people who really shift the shore. The ones who come in and completely change our lives. Suddenly, you can’t imagine life without them. Hold on to these people, they’re special. I’m a big believer in fate, and these people came into our lives for a reason. Possibly to teach us something about ourselves.

Moral of this, don’t take anyone for granted. Hold the door open, smile to a stranger, and tell your friends how much they mean to you. Life goes by too fast, don’t take a single human for granted. You never know the impact they could make on your life, or the impact you’re making on theirs.