"I know I'm quiet and I know I should speak more but if you knew the things that were in my head most of the time you'd know what it really meant. How much we're alike and how we've been through the same things and you're not small. You're beautiful." -Stephen Chbosky, "The Perks of Being a Wallflower"

I know you've heard that old saying, "Don't judge a book by its cover." Everyone has heard it at least a billion times, but does anyone actually listen to it? I'm just as guilty as the next person. I've looked at someone's outfit and judged them for it. I've heard someone's music preference and tried to determine their personality. I've listened to the way someone talked and made fun of their accent ... does that make it right? No. But that's the way society is! We preach every day — don't do this, don't do that, treat others how you want to be treated. But the majority of us don't practice what we preach. We say things to hurt people, we do things out of spite. Why, people? Why are we like this?! How many times do we have to have our feelings hurt before we stop trying to hurt someone else's?

So this is it. I'm challenging you. I'm challenging everyone that is reading this article. The next time you judge someone, shoot a dirty look in the direction of someone you don't know or find yourself wanting to hurt someone else just because you're hurting ... I challenge you to stop, and just pray for them. Pray for yourself while you're at it. Pray that your heart becomes kinder, your words become sweeter and your mind becomes cleaner. Pray that your misery turns into happiness. Pray that the person you're looking down on has a good day and their life is full of bliss. Pray for the world, pray for society. Heaven knows we need it. Stop and pray. Then look back and realize how much happier you've become since you stopped focusing on the terrible today and started praying for a terrific tomorrow.