The holiday seasons are always times of great energy. Spending, being with friends and family, remembering those lost or left behind. It's funny to think that with our "society as a whole," each individual functions so differently from the person sitting right next to them.

This holiday season there will be people battling demons. There will be people fighting mental illnesses, starvation, homelessness, abuse, loneliness, injury, illness and so much more. There are people who have been outcast from their families for differing beliefs or lifestyles. There are people who have separated themselves from family, old friends, or lovers because of unfair treatment. There are people who are down on their luck and have landed in shelters, relying on the scraps and handouts.

Not every person who celebrates the holidays alone "deserves it." Not every homeless person is a criminal or mentally ill. Not every single person is "crazy." Not every mental illness sufferer is a "basket case" or a "lost cause." Not every neighbor is scary. Not every dog will bite or cat will scratch.

Consider that you only know one side of the story: the side your eyes can see. Just as you are not just "an athlete" or just "a nerd" or just "an artist," others around you are just as infinitely multifaceted as you are.

Think of your life as a book.

Who is the main character? You are, obviously.

Now think and apply that to every person. Everyone is the protagonist of their own story, you are not the protagonist in other people's stories. Every person that you pass by on the street is a protagonist, and you are but a background character. In some people's stories, you will be a secondary character, you will be an antagonist, you will be but a blip on the radar.

So, this holiday season, be respectful and share a little love.