Five people

"People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. 

If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.

If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway. 

For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway."
- Mother Teresa

Have you ever read the book "The Five People You Meet in Heaven"? If not, you need to. It's a fantastic book. It is not a religious book as it would sound; if anything it's is a lesson on humanity.

The concept of the book is that there are five people on this earth who are only here to help you reach your destination in life. They are not close friends or family, but rather they are people you barely know or meet for a few minutes. However, these people have a giant impact on your life. According to the book, when we die, we get to hear the stories of the five people.

Sticking to this idea, you'd have to assume that you are one of five people to another person as well. You are here to help someone along their journey and then you leave. Some of us have long journeys, while others have very short ones. Some journey's end abruptly. 

I think this book made life and death beautiful regardless of your beliefs. It's as if we are all here to help one another. Death is sad but this notion adds dignity and grace to the tragedy. Maybe we are all more connected than we think. 

Do you think you've met your five people yet? Who knows, I think that's part of the mystery. It's unsuspected and unprompted. It's a true test to your character because you never know who it might be.

The real question is what will your five people tell you and will you be proud or embarrassed?