Within the past week, I have thought a lot about a rule my parents have taught me while growing up. That rule is “treat others the way you want to be treated.” I live my life with this reminder in engrained in the back of my mind, but for some unknown reason, I have been thinking about it nonstop. I cannot pinpoint the root for the sudden in-depth analysis of this rule, but I’m glad that I am looking into this phenomenon a little bit further than normal.

It is a possibility that hearing on the news and other media platforms about murders, random acts of violence, mass shootings, etc. have raised a lot of inquiry in my mind. I feel like I cannot turn the news on anymore without hearing about some sort of travesty and it honestly shatters my heart into a million, minuscule pieces. My main question when hearing about those situations is, of course, why? Why commit this act that brings nothing but pain? Who hurt you so bad that you had no other choice but to turn cold? Is the temporary feeling of satisfaction really worth causing long-term destruction?

I understand life is not designed to be black and white. I understand that some people have dark secrets and internal demons that they deal with on a daily basis. What I do not understand is how some people can live life happily being so selfish and self-absorbed. They have this mentality of invincibility. We are human. We have flaws. I hate to break it to you, but no one is perfect. It is just completely mind-boggling to imagine that people have no problem causing disasters without thinking about others. Call me crazy, but I am the type of person that thinks about everyone else before myself when I am trying to make a decision. And you know what the sad part about that is, it’s that it is really rare for me to come across people like that anymore.

For years, I have witnessed so many acts of selfishness. I feel as though I have collected enough evidence to come to the conclusion that I live in a self-absorbed, ignorant society. Throughout this article, I touched on subjects that were broader and engage a wider audience that maybe feel the same way I do. However, I experience situations like these in my own daily routines.

I witness them at school, in public, and through stories that others have shared with me. At least a few times a day I come across tweets, or any kind of social media posting asking “why is life like this?” or “why is life so depressing?” Honestly, I always wonder if maybe, just maybe, if people took the time to think over decisions and think about the consequences that could occur in the aftermath of the decision, this world would be such a better place to live in.

I know I, alone, cannot change people, it’s impossible. However, I can help to end the negative stigma by continuing to think about others before making decisions and continually treating others the way that I would want to be treated in return. It’s not a hard thing to do; I hope one day that others would follow in my footsteps and embark on this trend that can only unite us, not hurt us.