It is extremely difficult to fully comprehend the compassion that people around you put forth into your own life. Everyone you come in contact with is another stepping stone along your personal journey and they go much further than a simple conversation. You will never truly know the impact you may have on someone's journey just by one word or phrase you stated to them.

Family is the immediate word that comes to mind when breaking down the schematics of this observation. Nobody can compare to the family members who you love dearly no matter what the issue might be. They have always been there as well to make sure that you are discovering your full potential in life.

The basic definition of that word can be described as people who are connected with you through blood line or relatives living within the same household. The description is pretty cut and dry, but it does not even come close to perfectly defining, family. These are the people who will go completely out of their way for you even during the most inconvenient times. They will go to the ends of the world and back just to make sure you are fed and housed for the evening. If you are in a tight spot, they will make sure that you have someone by your side through anything, no matter what the situation is. These kind acts are not limited at all to the members of your family that you share a household with or their last name. Everyone around you has the potential to become one of the respected, loving people within your inner circle. Some of the people you associate with have probably already earned a spot there for a lifetime and more.

The point I am trying to make is that these compassionate acts go far beyond that of a typical family. All the people you call “friends” can do the same exacts things at the end of the day. When you think that there is nothing else to live for, then you are absolutely wrong. Please, look up and notice everyone standing around you with their hands held out. Think about all of the deeds, the kind acts, and favors friends have conducted for you in the last couple of years. None of these people had to do such a thing while some acts were probably above and beyond the call of duty. Once you think farther into it, these friends have been your family all along. Never disregard the amount of love and respect that these friends have for you on a daily basis. There may be distant relatives living within the area, but your roommates, Greek companions, classmates and church friends are all the family members that depend on you.