We live in a world that is losing emotions. It is not okay to share your feelings. It is weird to stop and talk to someone. It is just polite to ask them, "How are you?" Then it is a burden if they have a different answer than "I'm fine." What if they aren't "fine"? But we just let them walk by.

Many TV shows have been talking about mental illnesses and suicide, and the scary thing is we do not live in those screens. I have not personally known anyone that has taken their own life, but I have known souls that tempted. It hurt me to think they wanted to end their life when they always had a smile on their face. They always said hello to me and always made me laugh. Society makes us throw things under the rug. We live in a society that is hiding our emotions and putting masks on in person. We are only commuting through social media and believing everyone else just has this amazing filtered life. We are trying to put on the best face for others to see. We are all struggling in a certain aspect. We are all trying to be a part of groups just to be accepted.

I have been trying to talk to more to people. Not this:

"How are you?"

"I'm fine."

"That's good."

This is not communication. This is small talk to just get through the hallway. I want to know how your grandmother is doing. I want to know what how your day is going. I want to know what your goals are for this week. I want to know if that's your favorite shirt. I want to know how your sports team is doing. I want to know I want to know if you're taking care of yourself.

I want to let you know you're not alone in your struggle this week. I want you to know things will get better, and life has a funny way of working out. Don't think emotions will be a burden. Know it is okay if you're not "fine." Don't bottle it up, it only gets worse.

I want to see a society where we ask real questions and make real connections. I want to see the world of social creatures being social again. I wish to see these people that feel alone, walking with their head up, hand in hand with their true friends. I wish to people to take just a few minutes out of their day to care for another person.

Maybe someone is just "fine." Maybe they don't want to stay long to talk. It's understandable. But we let these people walk around with their heads down and tears in their eyes and they reply with "I'm fine." We need to stop watching these people walk by. We are all on this planet fighting different battles. Give someone a few minutes a day. Talk to one another. Make a connection. Feel something.