Recently a family friend of mine experienced the loss of someone she cared about and it made me think about how fleeting life really is. It was a stark reminder that no matter what someone may have done to hurt you, you cared for them at some point in your life; that is why they were a part of it. While you may no longer talk or see each other very often, once the opportunity has been taken away from you, you may find that you had so much left to say. With that said, I want to remind everyone to hug people more and not to hold grudges.

You never know which day could be your last, or if you will ever see someone again after saying your goodbyes. It seems like nothing will happen, but it is important to take nothing in life for granted, especially those you love and care about.

For some reason, it feels like the world is turning upside down. It is as though there is an absurd amount of hate, dislike, and cruelty in the reality of what is today. How is it that this country, the home of the “American Dream,” the place where people come for a better life and opportunity, has come to a point where more and more people are being hurt every week that goes by? I find it terrifying how independently unified we are. We are supposed to be a country that stands together, yet many of us stand so alone.

So, in light of these facts, I encourage you to be happy. Smile at the stranger walking by you, share more compliments, tell your friends and family how much you love them, and truly live in this world. We only get one life, and it is our job to live every second that we possibly can, to its fullest potential. I myself am one that needs to work on all of these things as well. All too often I find myself falling short of some of these qualities, but every day is a new one, and a fresh opportunity to improve upon them. In order to cultivate these traits I try and apply them to my job as a cashier at a grocery store, smiling at each new customer no matter the mood I may have come to work in.

I think that it is important to have a smile on your face and greet people with genuine conversation. I find that not only does it brighten my mood, it brightens those around you. You never know what type of day someone has been having, as they don’t know yours, but positivity is contagious. You can turn someone’s entire day around by just asking how they are, and it’s a wonderful feeling to know that you are the reason that someone is smiling.

Today’s world has become one that can get pretty scary, and we do not always know what could happen next. Remember the little things, and appreciate everything you have in life. Take Tim McGraw’s song, “Humble and Kind,” as an example. He reminds us to “visit grandpa every chance that you can,” “Hold the door, say please, say thank you,” and “Don’t steal, don’t cheat, and don’t lie.” These small lessons are ones that we learn when we are little, yet somehow we can forget in the wake of our never ceasing to be busy lives. So, remember that life is unpredictable, it is your job to live your life to it’s fullest potential, and putting a smile on your face won’t only change your day, but brighten so many others.