Guys. If you want to change the world, you can. One sentence at a time.
There are some things we don't feel like we say often enough: "I love you." is a big one. But something that is even more forgotten than saying you love someone is telling someone this: "I'm glad you're here."
We don't think to say that to anyone, but there are so many people walking around on this planet every single day of their lives who don't hear this one sentence. Ever. Some of these people are happy because they don't know anything different. But then you have those people who see and hear others being told "I'm glad you're here", never being told that themselves, and they're depressed. They feel like they're not worth it. These people need to know that they are.
We say that we hear of people, young and old alike, ending their own lives. Too many loved ones are affected by suicide. Sometimes, it's caused by mental illness, or even feelings of worthlessness. Some people are bullied to the point of suicide. Whatever the case may be, it's necessary to let them know that their lives are worth something. If you want to say that every life matters, then start saying things and doing things that go along with that statement.Stop being so destructive of others and making snide remarks about others behind their backs. You can kill with words, too. Words are the worst weapon in the world.
Instead, why don't we try to build each other up? Instead of turning the rug so others trip on it, why not flip it back and prevent others from tripping and falling on their faces? That's pretty simple, right? I thought so.
I want to be told "I'm glad you're here". I say it to others a lot, but when I get out of bed in the morning and go to class, I feel invisible. When I stay in bed, it seems that everyone sees me and wonders why I'm not around. This intrigues me sometimes, and I wonder if that's what suicidal people feel it'd be like when they end their lives. That only confirms it: people need to say "I'm glad you're here".
During this election season, through all the hateful comments on the internet and all the political rallies, let's start a campaign that gets nobody elected; one that's louder than Trump and Hillary. Let's start telling people we're glad they're alive. Let's start saying this every day. Because your life and the lives of others matter.
Go ahead. Have the audacity to think that you and others matter and have purpose. Let yourself hear it from others.
And by the way, I'm glad you're here.
