I’ve only been a sophomore for barely two months but it feels like a lifetime — at least a year — given all the milestones, experiences, and realizations I’ve had and come to in such a short amount of time. From having someone close to me be sexually assaulted, going on an immersion and interacting with people experiencing homelessness in San Jose for the second time (much more impactful than the first time), and losing friends but strengthening bonds with others, to rushing a sorority and experiencing secondhand the effects of the Santa Rosa fires from my roommate, life has been happening at an uncontrollable and unpredictable speed in which I’m just trying desperately to survive.

Given all that happens throughout my daily life, I do a lot of reflection. Whether it’s journaling about my day — the good, the bad, and the ugly — or just thinking about my hopes and dreams and the path to achieve them, I reflect.

In my personal journey of reflection, I’ve recently come to the realization on just how impactful we are in other people’s lives and how our actions, though we may deem them small and inconsequential, have the power to make a difference and even save someone’s life.

Last week, I was feeling completely and utterly depressed. Even though I am involved in a smorgasbord of activities on campus, I felt like my heart was tugged in a million different directions, so that I was everywhere and nowhere at once, that I didn’t have a place that I belonged or people I could count on.

While I still feel this way, each day that passes gives me hope that there’s something to look forward to. And do you know what’s getting me through? All the little acts of love from the people around me.

For example, I had just woken up and was walking down the hallway to the bathroom, my head down, not really in the mood to talk or look at anyone. From a distance, I could see my hallmate walking towards me. I wasn’t planning on saying anything to him and wasn’t expecting him to acknowledge me either, given that we barely see each other around and hadn’t established a friendly relationship (or any relationship, for that matter). We were (and still are) strangers.

But as he passed by me, I heard him say, “Morning.” I looked up too stunned and surprised to say anything back. Saying, “Morning,” was the smallest thing my hallmate could have possibly done, and to him, it was probably normal, and he thought nothing of it. But to me, “Morning,” gave me energy and allowed my day to have a great start.

And it’s not just the people we encounter in the beginning of our days who have the power to make it a good or bad one. It’s people at all times, hours, and moments throughout the day. You are constantly a light and have the power to shine it on anyone.

Additionally, last Sunday was going moderately alright — nothing too exciting or tragic — and it was at the point during the day where the next thing that happened to me would either make it a very good day or a day I would probably forget. But then I ate dinner with an old pal, and our banter and his spirit was the cherry on top, turning an alright, uneventful day to a decent, good day.

Because it’s the small things that matter. The small things are what ignite conversations and start relationships as well as continue them. All the small things — that five-minute conversation you have with your friend on the way to class about your favorite Pixar movies, receiving an unexpected hug and hello, texting me a recipe that you found at 3 a.m. while scrolling through Facebook because it made you think of me— are what make up life. They’re how we show love to others, whether it be a stranger, a family member, or a friend.

As human beings, it’s completely crazy how much influence we have on others. You don’t have to be famous to be influential. Through your existence of simply being here, you are constantly changing and influencing someone’s life. With every moment you wake and walk this earth, every joke you tell or story you share, every time you make someone else laugh or smile, you’re giving them hope, sharing love, and making them want to be here with us for at least one more day.

So don’t ever underestimate your power.