In today’s world, it is easy to get caught up in your own personal struggles. It is easy to become so focused on yourself that you forget there are others hurting as well. You forget how desperately your friend, or even a stranger, might need that warm smile, or a text reminding them of how important they are to you. You become so self-concerned, that you fail to notice just how badly others are hurting.

You fail to notice until it become too late.

But the truth of the matter is, we are all hurting. And doesn’t it always feel better to share that pain and talk with another person about it? For some reason, this generation has become so obsessed with the idea of hiding their pain. It is as if it is a weakness to feel, whether it be happy or sad or lonely. We have this idea planted in our heads that we can not let others know how bad we are hurting, so we bury it. And eventually, it buries us.

But it goes deeper than simply sharing our feelings with other hurting individuals. The golden rule “treat others that way you wish to be treated” is the golden rule for a reason. Think of all the things that would seem comforting to you in your time of pain. Think of all the little things that someone could do for you to brighten your day. Now imagine someone actually doing those deeds. If you know what it takes to make you smile, don’t you also think it would help others as well? So why aren’t we taking action? Why aren’t we becoming more involved in the peoples lives around us?

I am tired of logging onto social media accounts, only to see those taking action on the pain they have been feeling. I am tired of seeing news stories about people I might have known or didn’t know. I’m tired of seeing people post upsetting updates about how terrible their day, their week, their life has been feeling. I am tired of feeling guilty for not taking action, for not speaking up, for not simply smiling at someone that day.

So I challenge and encourage you, to do at least one thing a day that makes someone else feel special. You don’t know how much it could mean to them. You don’t know if that could be their deciding factor on whether they take action upon their pain. You don’t know if that is their only glimpse of kindness from someone else that day. You simply don’t know what they are going through.

But isn’t trying to make them feel special worth not having to read or hear about their tragic accidents? If there’s anything to be learned by the amount of suicidal thoughts and acts many people have been experiencing and witnessing lately, it’s that we must become involved. We must start taking action. And in the end, won’t you be glad to be able to say you tried? Won’t it make you feel good knowing that you took part in allowing someone to see the extraordinary qualities in themselves that day or simply the kindness of a stranger?