NEWS ALERT: You aren’t the center of the universe

“There are millions of planets revolving around millions of suns revolving around millions of galaxies all revolving around one point in the center of the universe… and that point… is not you.”
This quote came from the television show “Reba.” It is a quote that has stood out to me and stuck with me for years. This quote reminds people to not be selfish because truly the world does not revolve around you, and it reminds me to think about other people because they are just as much a part of this world as I am.
This weekend, I was at the Chadron State football game taking pictures for The Eagle. When taking pictures, you have to run back and forth from ends of the football field. On one instance I walked past the Eagle wrestlers standing next to the yellow ropes cheering on the football team. I appreciate the wrestlers and the enthusiasm and support they provide at football games, but what I did not appreciate this weekend was the tobacco spit I found on my leg after walking past the wrestlers.
I am not looking for sympathy and I am honestly not bitter about this situation, I just want to share this situation so people can realize that what they do affects others around them.
There are about 3,000 people who are enrolled at Chadron State College, and shockingly enough, you are not the most important person on campus. I can say that confidently to everyone because none of us are the most important person on campus.
Over my four years on campus, I have heard various times that Chadron State is like a family and we are all in this together. I do not believe that we all have to act like best friends, or like we are all part of some large, happy family, but I do believe we need to treat everyone with respect.
College is hard and everyone is just trying to survive to the end of the semester without having a mental breakdown, and disrespecting others and intentionally causing pain or problems for others is simply wrong.
I am not trying to say that the wrestlers intentionally spit on me, but I am trying to say that we need to pay attention to those around us.
Our actions, even things as simple as spitting on the ground, can affect everyone around us. There is certainly a ripple effect in play anytime we make a decision.
The world can be a cruel place, but we do not need to be a part of that cruelty. Stop being so selfish. Stop only thinking about yourself and start looking out for the other humans who share this universe with you.
I am not suggesting we all go out of our way to make every situation the best for the person standing next to us, but we simply need to not cause harm to those people.
Stop acting like you are the center of the universe and that you deserve everything in the world and start thinking about someone else for a change.
Watch where you are walking down the sidewalk, stop hogging computers and printers, watch where you are spitting, and start realizing the world does not revolve around you.