“I got the coolest pair of shoes the other day!”

“I sailed across the ocean before Columbus.”

“I am more awesome-r THAN YOU.”

Sometimes, it’s way too easy to be focused on yourself. At times, the word “self-absorbed” might even be applicable to certain individuals. There are times when it makes sense: you just won something, or got accepted to a program or college you’ve been dying to hear back from. Maybe you conquered one of your fears, ate an enormous amount of food and won an eating contest, or simply got a new haircut that makes you feel like a god/goddess. That’s understandable.

“What made you think about this?” That’s a great question. My grandparents came to the Masterworks Concert to see me perform. As we were trying to leave, we were suddenly surrounded by another group of people, chatting and reviewing the performance. Here’s the thing: my grandpa uses a cane and can’t walk very well from a massive stroke. I was walking in front of him, and as I checked behind me to see how he was doing, I also saw the people around him. Many were frustrated by the inconvenient “road block” and hurried to shimmy their way past. Only one man tried to hold the door open. What surprised me most was when I saw him get basically body checked, almost knocked off balance while the future wrestler (probably not) quickly muttered “sorry” while my grandpa Tuncay just smiled and laughed and said, “it’s alright.” Maybe I imagined it, but I saw hurt in his eyes.

Having to view that was very painful for me. It made my heart hurt a little bit. It made me wonder just how many times that very same thing has happened to him, and how he really feels about it, and what he would say if he could communicate better. I wish I knew.

Here’s what I’m thinking: get outside of yourself as much as possible. While it is vital to your well being to take care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally, you’re not the only person on earth. (Thank you for stating the obvious, Sarah.) You’re not the only one who has had a great day, and you’re not the only person who thinks life is unbearable, even though sometimes it may feel that way.

A single second in time, a look, and face, a compliment, a critique, a single action or decision – they all affect your future, but more importantly, they might affect someone else’s future. They might remember that one moment in time forever even though you’ve forgotten about it seconds later. If that isn’t a scary thought, I don’t know what is.

I mean, think about it. What do you remember about kindergarten? Preschool? I have so many stories, I couldn’t fit ‘em all on one blog that just might have to be another blog.

Sarah says pay more attention to the people around you because they matter, too.