Ignoring someone is easy. Pushing them aside and focusing on yourself has always been the more straightforward option in life — to take the easy path out and survive in what is presumably a “dog-eat-dog” world. However, it's that little extra step, lending a helping hand or just asking someone how their day was, that makes all the difference. Growing up caring for others has always been something my parents reinforced countless times. They wouldn't care if I failed an exam, but if I said something rude to my brother or behaved selfishly, I was immediately called out.

Nonetheless, this was a pattern I saw around me outside my house as well. I remember when I was younger, every time something happened to my family or one of my parents was sick, our neighbors used to come over with food or medicine, anything to help us, and my parents did the same for them. I suppose in a way there was a mutual understanding between everyone to care for others, not even once thinking if they would do the same for you, and that’s the kind of humanitarian spirit I hope ignites within others as well.

My family recently got a new puppy, and as someone who has begged for one all my life, I couldn't have been more excited! However, it just so happened that it was a week after our puppy came home that both my parents got sick and we were unable to take care of her. That's when our neighbours came to the rescue, taking her in for two weeks and giving my family enough time to get better. It was one of those moments when I felt so incredibly vulnerable and grateful to have grown up in such a giving and caring community, where everyone is constantly on the lookout for each other.

Margaret Mead once very rightly said, “Never believe that a few caring people can’t change the world. For, indeed, that’s all who ever have,” and I couldn't agree more. A simple act of kindness goes a long way; it may not change your life drastically, but it does wonders to others’.