"I saw you, and I see you."

As I made my way through the nightmare that is the Denver International Airport with sunglasses on to hide my puffy eyes and tears, the world felt so small. All these people racing through the travel experience and, like me, crossing their fingers that their bag didn't get flagged for a random search or their belt buckle didn't set off the security alarm.

"I know it will all be OK," I repeated to myself, not just for the situation I was responding to but to the many points of friction that exist for most travelers as we navigate our airports and train stations.

The C terminal, being the final stop on the train from the main gate area, meant that I had been riding the rails for several minutes before I disembarked, and yet, in my despair, I wasn't aware of anyone around me. I was the last to leave the car, and as I walked towards the escalators, a person emerged before me.

"Are you ok," he asked.

"No," I said as the tears flowed.

"Do you need a hug?" he responded.

"Yes, I do," I said, and we embraced. After several beautiful seconds, we parted.

"Thank you," I said, feeling the emotional connection and caring from this stranger.

"I just want you to know that I saw you, and I see you," he said.

He turned and walked the other way.

I've had another anonymous experience that I've shared here, and I think it bears repeating that while we never know what is going on in a person's life, there's no such thing as taking a risk and letting them know you saw them and you see them.

Thank you to that amazing young man who saw me and reached out as a stranger whom I will likely never see again.

What's Next:

Who can you be for someone today?

The "See Something, Say Something" slogan builds awareness and contains a call to action. "I saw you, and I see you," is the call to action, and I have to admit, it felt so good to be seen by a stranger when the rest of the world was doing its thing, and I felt so alone. It also demonstrates an understanding of something outside of ourselves and includes a call to action in whatever context feels most comfortable.

I encourage you to practice some compassionate responses to the world around you. Who needs a smile, a high-five, or a hug today? It's super simple, and its impact is profound.