“The opposite of love is not hate; it’s indifference.”

I’ve always loved this quote by Elie Wiesel, a prominent Jewish writer and Holocaust survivor, and it’s something for us to keep in mind during the holiday season. As many of us go back home, we should be reminded of what we’re thankful for. Hopefully, this includes a loving family, loyal friends and the other basic necessities of human life.

Unfortunately, many people today will never experience that.

While we should show kindness to others throughout the year, we should strive to be mindful of our actions now. In an environment full of giving, it’s unfortunate that we show compassion and love to those closest to us when there are others who will never receive those things in the first place.

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It’s human instinct to live in our bubble and shield ourselves from the troubles of the world. We should break these chains and discipline ourselves to become people who love unconditionally. We can never be perfect in loving others, but we should always try to reach for it. 

And no one expects you to follow the extreme of giving the shirt off of your back and becoming a pushover.

It can be as simple as striking up a conversation with a stranger who you notice isn’t having a wonderful day. It can be checking up on a friend who you haven’t talked to in a while. Or, if you’re bold enough, it could be forgiving those who have wronged you and making it a thing of the past.

Grand gestures are never needed to show love. Expanding your circle of compassion, even just a little, not only makes you a better person, but also allows you to lead the way in making a positive impact on the world.

Volunteering is one way we can make a difference in our communities, and it only takes a few hours of your time.

For campus-wide volunteer opportunities, you can donate or volunteer at the LSU Food Pantry. Food insecurity shouldn’t be an issue among college students, so it’s important we all pitch in whenever and however we can. Contact [email protected] for more information on how to help this crucial organization in fighting food insecurity on campus. 

For volunteer opportunities in your hometown, Feeding America has a list of food pantries you can volunteer at or donate to. If you’re a fan of donating money where it can make the most impact on the most amount of people, check out GiveWell’s website and affiliated charities.

Even if you don’t plan on volunteering or donating this winter break, showing compassion to someone who’s in need is enough of a first step. When one realizes we’re all trying to find a reason to exist on this floating rock together, all of humanity has a common bond that transcends our unique political, social and cultural differences. 

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So when you’re hugging your loved ones as close as you can this holiday season, make some space for a stranger. You’ll never know if they could become a friend if you always treat them as a stranger.

Nathaniel Dela Peña is a 21-year-old political science and history senior from Alexandria.