At school, the girl notices how absolutely fabulous the other girls look like around their boyfriends, with their perfect hair, perfect complexion, perfect eye makeup. When she compares her fashion sense, body, face, personality-to everyone around her, she's pulled down instead of lifted up. She knows that when she makes it to her locker between classes, there's going to be notes and mean jokes in and around it, pointed at how unpopular, unfit, and imperfect she is.
He barely lifts up his chin for his eyes to be seen most days, knowing that no matter what happens during the day away from home, he has to return home eventually-home to two fighting parents, who's arguing is relentless; to the realization that he really has lost his best friend, the only person who carried him through rough times and helped him feel like, to some degree, its all okay; and he feels lost in all ways, emotionally drained to the last point with all the burdens placed upon him, still only just a teenager.
The everyday struggles of you, me-and every single one of the seven billion people on this planet remain largely hidden or disguised every day. Instead of every person having at least persons around them they could talk to for comfort and hope, they're faced with the despairing idea that no one cares, no one even exists who would care to try solving their problems, let alone listen to them being said and communicated about.
I know how it feels to be like this. Too many times, I'm asked "how are you?" and the only reply I dare to give is "I'm good" or something uncomplicated such as that, when I really am anything but that; when I am with others, I smile and laugh to the best of my ability, many times hiding those emotions swirling inside me behind a happy mask; I act emotionally stable around others, but when alone, can easily break down.
The sad thing is many people experience tough times, hard times, alone-because though there may be many persons in people's lives, they feel there is none to ease the pain or truly trust to talk to. There's billions on this earth; and yet many are experiencing all this continuingly with no change.
Very recently, a close friend of mine and I were chatting online together, and practically out of the blue, this forever-keep-never-lose friend of mine didn't just assure me she was "here" for me, but that she actually really wanted me confiding in her for any and all problems I have, just anything, as she said it. I literally paused for a few moments before typing any response after reading her message, just staring at my screen, beyond grateful for such a caring, selfless friend. She wasn't just letting me know nonchalantly that she would listen to my problems; she wanted to me to really know that she's here for me 24/7, for everything going on in my life. I felt like crying, knowing my friend really is one in a million in the very best ways.
In all the struggles, tough experiences and emotional pain around us and within us-friends like mine I mentioned are who we really all need. Someone to speak with and talk to freely about our problems, knowing the other person really cares, is here for us, and is concerned about us. That's what the entire world needs more of-more people like my (needless to say, very true and genuine) friend. So the question is, will you be that friend for someone? Letting them know consistently that you're concerned about them and that you do care? Will you rise to the challenge of brightening others' lives, and being the friend so many need? Will you be that friend?
Lots of Love,
Veroni <3
