The People You Meet in Real Life

Book excerpt: Did you ever stop to think that the person who just walked by was someone you were supposed to meet? In this fast-paced world, we sometimes miss opportunities to become inspired by complete strangers, or even someone close to us. For years, Melissa "Missy" Hopely struggled with this idea because, although family and teammates always surrounded her, she felt completely alone in her battle with depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and bullying. Missy was diagnosed with OCD and depression as a teenager. Although she excelled as an athlete in sports like soccer and softball, Missy had a difficult time with normal social interactions and relationships. She struggled with a sometimes-crippling anxiety that made her stand out in a negative way to her peers, causing them to bully her at school. Persevering through years of hiding her true self, enduring her parents' difficult and painful divorce, and being abandoned by friends who couldn't cope with her differences, Missy started listening to others' stories. All of the people she had met throughout her lifetime. What she found out astonished her: Everyone has a story. Everyone feels insignificant at times. Everyone has challenges. Everyone will experience both bad and good. Everything we experience and go through is a part of us, but it doesn't have to define us. And, most important: Others have been where you are; you are not alone. This book tells not only Missy's story, but also the inspirational stories of courage and perseverance of people Missy has met "in real life." People like Carolyn, a high school student diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor. Kimberly, a mom whose daughter's suicide made national television headlines. Lafayette, who has been HIV positive since birth. Jordan, who suffers from depression and bi-polar disorder and tried to take his own life by jumping out a ninth-story window. Ryan, a semi-professional boxer and college student who doesn't let his amputation slow him down. P-Track, who doesn't let his Asperger syndrome keep him from dancing. And, so many others. Missy's positive, encouraging message shines through these stories: If we take a second, we as individuals have the great power of uniting and working together to change other people's lives and our world for the better.