I am 19 years old. I am a sophomore nursing student at Emporia State University. I am a member of the sorority Sigma Sigma Sigma. I am a daughter. I am a sister. I am a friend. I am a woman. I am human.

All of these statements, all of these words, give you an idea of who, “I am,” but honestly, these few things only give you a superficial idea of who I am as an individual. Most of you reading this probably will not know me, and that is absolutely fine. In fact, I like that idea. Of you not knowing me. At least, I like the idea of you not knowing me yet.

The 19 years I have spent on this earth have been blessed. Not the hash tag blessed you are probably envisioning because, hey, I am a, “sorority girl,” and don’t we say that stuff all the time? I am not ashamed. But, no, I am talking about the actual fact that I am truly blessed. Blessed due to my faith and my belief in God. Blessed because I have an amazing family, I have amazing friends, I am a part of an amazing sisterhood, and I have been given amazing opportunities in my life. I know that not every individual on this earth can say the same. Up until these past few months, I do not think I have ever been truly challenged as an individual. When I moved to college in the fall of 2014, I was not in a good place. Looking back, I realize this now. I went through the motions my first year of college.

I joined Tri Sigma, did well in school, and met lots of people, but I still did not have a way to fill the void. I did not go out often, which I kind of regret because YOCO (you only college once), but I have only ever talked about how I felt during the first semester of my college experience with a few people. A woman who has become a great friend of mine over the past few years was the first person I told how unhappy I was. I trusted her; I still trust her. I am thankful for her in my life because even if she did not know it, she was what I needed at the time. I love her with my whole heart. She is a prime example of how individuals come into your life unexpectedly and they change you.

This year has been completely different. I moved into my sorority house, which has been the absolute best decision I have ever made. You do not have to believe me, but it is true. I have finally found people that inspire me to be a better version of myself every single day. I have found friends who will hold my hand while I cry on their shoulder, I have found friends who make me laugh until I have happy tears running down my face, and I have found friends who support me in everything I do. This last year, I have made life long friendships, I have renewed old friendships, and these are experiences I would not change for the world. I went into this winter break happy. I was on our officer team as the Vice President of New Member Education, I had a new job at the Student Advising Center on campus, and I had friends in my life that I truly loved. I came back from winter break so excited. I had the best roommates a girl could ask for, great friends, and my nursing school clinicals to look forward to; I was happy, genuinely happy.

But, my whole world came crashing down on a Friday in February. This day is why I say I had never been challenged in my life, at least up until that point. I lost someone, and what happened made me question everything. It caused me to question myself, how I interact with those around me, and how I move through the waves that are my life. These past few weeks have been hard; I have changed. This experience has shown me how to appreciate the people in my life and every moment I am able to spend with them. It is not the things we have in this life that matter most, but the people we have in it. I have grown as an individual in more ways than I can even begin to describe, and I have learned.

Kindness. Love.

Being aware of others. Realizing we know nothing about the people who are going through the motions of life alongside us. Maybe we are not meant to know. In the end, only three things matter, how much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you. You know nothing about what is happening in the lives of those around you unless they tell you. Finally, I have seen some things, and I am blessed. I have watched people hurt all around me; I have seen how one woman can impact more individuals than she ever would have imagined; I have ached for myself and everyone I care about, but with this experience, I have seen and felt love. I have experienced the true love people have for one another. I needed this wake up call, this realization; maybe you did too. We need to be kind to one another because you never know when you will no longer be here. Smile at people, tell your friends and your family that you love them, and be kind. Be thankful, and appreciative of the time you have been given with the people you have in your life. We need more kindness and love in our world because there is an unimaginable amount of heartbreak happening all around us. Choose to be happy. Choose to be kind. Choose to love. Be the individual that is radiant. You never know what is going on in another person’s life. Maybe you will be the shining light they needed that day. Maybe you will make an impact on them you never knew you could.

Maybe. You will change their life, because someone once told me, “Beauty is kindness.”