Your mission today is to compliment a stranger.

There is an epidemic sweeping across the planet, a horrible infestation of darkness and hatred. Most days… people don’t even notice it. People placate this horrendous way of life by choosing to be blind or deaf to the actions they themselves or others are taking.

What is this epidemic I speak of?

Bullying.

Lets kick back with our coffee for a second, lets think about our lives. 

Do you remember being bullied in school? Do you remember being called names? Picked on? Pushed around? For most people, these are painful memories. So why do we pass that along to the next generation? Why? People don't need to act this way.

It shocks me that people are surprised when I pull over on the side of the road to offer help. People shouldn't be surprised that your trying to help them. What happened to the days of love, kindness, and peace? Where are they? This negative and hateful behavior should not be endorsed or embraced... 

I met my dear friend Lindsey through a facebook page [ meanstinks ] and connected with her right away. She lost her sister Felicia to bullying. Consumed by the depression she felt, Felicia ended her life to stop the suffering. Just thinking about this brings tears. Kindness truly matters. You don’t know what people are going through, feeling, seeing, or hearing. You don’t know when someone just needs that ONE smile to make his or her day better.

You just don’t know.

But we can change this. YOU can change this. It starts with EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US. Everyday. 

For most of my life, I have tried to go out of my way for people. It all goes back to the golden rule: treat others the way you want to be treated. The truth of the matter is that we are all people… and we ALL need to be loved. As a society we need to preach love and not hate. I have already seen some amazing people in the time I have gotten to know Lindsey and her mother. They’re some of the strongest people I have ever seen. They have changed my life in so many ways, for so many reasons. They're on a mission, a mission we should all share: to teach Kindness.

I challenge you.

That’s right, you!

Look around you, everyday, and try to be more kind. Lets change the world. Its time to end this senseless hatred. At our core, we are all people, regardless of race, sex, and sexual orientation.

Children are ending their lives. This is a crisis, and we can stop it.

We can stop this by saying please, thank you, holding a door open for a stranger, saying good morning, good afternoon, or good evening, smiling more, and helping others.

Your mission today is to compliment a stranger. Hair, clothes, earrings, nails, YOU NAME IT. Show someone kindness today.