The terrible events that horrified the world in Paris on Friday got me thinking about how uncertain and cruel life and the people in it can really be. They got me thinking about the people and the things that are most important to us, and how we should always cherish them should the worst happen when we least expect it.

Love and respect brought the people of the world together in the aftermath of the tragedy in Paris. They are the two most important things ever to exist, and therefore we should express them as often as possible. Personally, I want nothing more than to tell the person I love exactly how I feel, even though they will never reciprocate. I wish we could all speak those three little words in front of anyone we like but can’t be with, whether they’re single or taken, not just to family and friends. I, for one, kick myself (not literally, that’d be difficult) that I never got that chance. I never will, as things stand. It’s just that I wish nothing could stand in the way of such an option.

When I had counselling until earlier this year, I was introduced to the idea of “five positive strokes”. They’re a bit like your five-a-day of fruit and veg, but with compliments, nice gestures and good deeds instead. Even if it’s something as small as a stranger smiling at you on the street, it’ll count as one of the five, and therefore five tiny things can bring a great deal of satisfaction. Imagine if you had them every day, continuously – you’d have them stored away to call upon whenever you might need them. That reiterates what I’ve said about small doses of positivity going a long way “if you just have faith in them”. At times like this, with the world reeling from terrible recent events, it really hits home just how important it is to love like there’s no tomorrow, and to follow your heart wherever it may take you – in case you come to regret it forever, without another chance.

#WeStandWithParis

Mason