Impressions

Have you ever stopped to wonder if your life would ever leave an impression on the world? If anyone would write a speech or a book where your name was typed? If there would be something you did that would still be seen or heard decades after you were gone?

The thing is, you do leave an impression. Every day.

Every complement, every kind deed, every sacrifice you made left an impression on someone. Even if your name was never said in a speech or your art displayed in a gallery.

Remember that time you told someone you loved their nails? That was the only good part about their day. Remember that time you helped a random kid with their algebra homework? They are an engineer now. Remember that time you gave your last five dollars to the guy on the street? He is back on his feet now. Remember that time you told your friend you accepted them the way they were when they came out? You were the only one that did.

But there are two sides to every coin.

Remember that person you insulted? They can't look at themselves in the mirror anymore. Remember that person you stole ten dollars from? That was the last of their paycheck, they couldn't feed their family. Remember that time you ripped up someone's 'bad' art? That piece would have won them a life changing prize and now they are on the streets. Remember that girl you spreed a rumor about? That made her loose her scholarship and then she took her life the next day. Remember the kid you beat up because they were gay? They self harm now.

Remember everything you say and do impacts other people.

I beg you to pay attention to what you do. You can make someone's day, but just as easily ruin one. You can save a life, but you can just as easily take one.

We all know a person who has been positively affected by another person's actions.

We all know a person who has been negatively affected by another person's actions.

Don't think that your negative action will teach someone a lesson. It won't.