Last week I wrote about my utopian world. A world that we have the tools to realize, but fail to use those tools in the way that would make that world a reality. We are all born into this world with a clean slate. The person we become is molded by our experiences, influences and surroundings. We aren’t born with hate, prejudice, unkindness and lack of compassion. Those are all things that we learn as we maneuver through this thing we call life.

In all my social interactions from as far back as I can remember, there have always been people who happen to be a part of the “in crowd” and those that just seem to sit on the sideline because they don’t happen to have the particular qualities that the “in crowd” require to be a part of their group. There have been many times that I was not only one of those people, but failed to recognize others like me when I finally was accepted into a particular social group. When you are not the “it kid” and finally become part of a social group, you are so overjoyed that you forget to realize the place from which you came.

One would think this happens only in schools while you are growing up. The reality is that is happens throughout our lives. The next time you are in a group setting, take a look around. Look at all the people that everyone is talking to and gravitating towards and then look for those who are simply sitting alone. This whole phenomena is one of the very reasons that when we send our cards to senior communities we ensure that there is a card for every single resident of the facility.

Sometimes life is hard. Many of us are just doing what we can do to get through another day, while we work to deal with what life throws at us on a daily basis. Sometimes we just need that little dose of human compassion to get us through that difficult moment that we happen to be experiencing. When we choose to see through others rather than see them, we lose that opportunity for human compassion that brings enormous benefit to both parties. Whether we understand it or not, we all need a little compassion or love.

As you go about your lives this week, take a look around. Look for that person that is always on their own, never seems to be engaged in conversation and might look a little bit lonely. Make an effort not to see through them, but see them and engage them. There have been several school programs that have implemented groups that specifically look for kids like this to engage. The adult world could use a little more of that as well.

Have a great day and remember to be the reason someone smiles.

Mornings with Ron is available as a podcast at anchor.fm/morningswithron or on iHeartRadio, Apple or Google Podcast, Spotify or most podcast sites.