I catch myself spending a great deal of time thinking about people: family, relatives, friends, acquaintances, classmates, those I know of but rarely talk to, strangers I came across, you name it. I think a lot. An awful lot.

I think about people I care profoundly about. I think about those I am passionate about and have great love for. I think about those I have lost or passed away. Those who have moved away and ended up losing contact with or never talk to again. I think about my old, childhood friends and those I grew up with. I think about those who have helped me and those who have hurt me. I think about those I hear about on the news and the unfortunate events that took place. Those who have brought joy and happiness to my life. And those who have made me cry or shed tears for. I think about those I have shared experiences with, have wonderful and bittersweet memories with. Those who have supported me and bullied me. I think about those I have helped and those I have wronged and never said sorry to because I didn’t know any better. Those who I should’ve made time for and those I should’ve never taken for granted. I think about those I can express my feelings to and those who have lended ears to listen. I think about those who took advantage of me and disrespected me. I think about the small gestures random people do that would brighten my day. And those who have helped me and gave me their precious time when I was in need.

I think a lot about people. A lot. I cannot express that enough. I don’t know why. I just do. I try my best to speak kindly of everyone because I strongly believe you should treat everyone with kindness even when you think they don’t deserve it. Sometimes I stare (I know, it’s rude to stare), but I do it because I like to observe those around me.

Everyone I have met or crossed paths with amazes me, everyone. Whether they have wronged me, helped me, loved me, or left me, I have so much compassion for each and every single person I have came across in this journey called “Life.” I am a firm believer that people enter your life for a reason. They can encourage you, guide you, or they can challenge you. And that no matter how great or small the impact they have made in your life or however long you have known them, you carry a part of them with you. People can influence you and how you think about yourself, your surroundings, and just the world itself. I think, but I don’t really talk about it. I spend a great deal of time thinking about others, maybe that’s the reason why I hardly ever think about and for myself. Maybe.