Your words could be the final straw

The fragility of life and how short our time is on this planet is something that no one likes to think about.

A kind word or deed can make all the difference.

The fragility of life and how short our time is on this planet is something that no one likes to think about.

Many go about their day-to-day lives thinking they, their friends and loved ones are bullet-proof, and that only bad things happen to those unfortunate people featured on the news. Sadly, this is not the case.

We never see or get to appreciate or understand the burdens that those around us carry.

Peers may have a gravely ill parents, or they might be struggling financially. Some may have mental illness, chronic pain or issues that they hide well, and they put on a brave face each day because they don't want to trouble others with what is going on inside their head or with the pain inside their body.

It is, therefore, so important that we are nice to each other.

We don't know the impact of our mean words on other people.

If someone is having a bad day, a sarcastic or unfriendly remark could make their day so much worse.

Conversely, it costs nothing to be kind, and a smile or a compliment or thoughtful gesture might actually mean the world to a person. Making a person feel like they matter is one of the most powerful things you can do.

My granddad was a very wise man. He said it was imperative to make the time to let those around you know how much they mean to you.

Saying goodbye was a big deal to granddad. On leaving his house, granddad would always hug my brother and I so tightly and tell us he loved us "no matter what".

Granddad believed that goodbyes were a big deal, even if you expected to see that person again the next day. Ensuring those around us know that we love, value and appreciate them is crucial, because like my granddad would say, "you never know when you might not see them again".

It's best to live life with no doubts in your mind that those you love and care about know that you do love and appreciate all that they do.

My mum's dad is no longer alive, but he died knowing that he had a family that loved him dearly, and we all knew that he loved us so much, because he told us so each day we visited him.

We all have bad days and it is necessary that we all look out for each other. No one wants to be remembered for their nasty ways. Leave a legacy of kindness, thoughtfulness and generosity. This is certainly how I would like people I've met to know and remember me.