We've all been there. The circumstances of our life seem to close in on us and make us feel small. Make us feel insignificant. Like no one notices us or even cares if we are alive.

While it seems that nothing can break of out of that funk, take heart in this. As you are going through life under a dark cloud, people around you have not forgotten that you are alive and they do see you. You may not be able to place a name to the faces, but they are there.

Why is this important? I am telling you these facts because what you do affects other people for better or for worse. Even if you are having what you consider to be a terrible day, there are probably people that you see in school or at work or at the supermarket that have it worse. Your cat just died, their father just died. You got an F on a test, they got kicked out of school. You got chewed out by your boss, they got fired. Your rent went up, they got evicted.

Rather than take your frustrations out on someone you don't know, focus on saying a kind word to a stranger. Hold the door open for the stranger leaving the building. Offer to help an elderly person move groceries from her shopping cart to the trunk of her car. Smile or nod at a complete stranger.

While you feel like you are suffering in silence, by projecting outwardly how you want to feel inside, you are doing all those around you a favor. It may very well be that the person you could just as easily bark at or knock down in frustration is having a bad day, too, and a kind word or gesture of civility from you is just the spark that person needs to set their day back on track.

Let me relate a story from my own experience. A few years ago, I was working retail in a convenience store on Christmas Day. Because I was missing being with my family, I was in a funk. Not happy. Under a cloud. A guy came in the store to buy some lottery tickets and went to pay for them with a $20. After I rang everything up, I went to give him his change back, he shook his head and said "No, keep the change. Everything is for you. Merry Christmas." Then he left. As soon as I got over the shock, the clouds parted and sunlight filled my soul. I was humbled to my core about that completely random act of kindness by a complete stranger. (Even today, this story affects me.)

So, in conclusion, no matter how good or how bad you feel right now, you are in a position--you have the power--to do something for another person. Someday, when you are feeling your lowest, that something will be returned to you. Think about it.