The common cliche saying is 'Chivalry is dead', but I would like to argue that another integral personality trait is at risk of extinction: The concept of being a thoughtful friend.

I'd like to think that I'm a thoughtful person. My friends tell me that I intently listen to them, I give them cookies on days they feel bad, and I've been known to show up at my friend's dorm room door ready to help in times of need. I've grown up like this and it's always been my prerogative to put other people before myself.

Yet more and more often, I'm finding being thoughtful isn't a desirable trait to have.

Being too thoughtful and not being egocentric is seen as a detriment. It inhibits you from moving forward since one couldn't possibly focus on the needs of others while advancing themselves. Being a nice person isn't on people's minds as we become more and more in tune with ourselves and not thinking about the long-term consequences of our actions on and off-line.

Take this for example. The other day, my friend texted her group chat of friends saying she was bored and she wanted to do something. No one responded to her, yet not more than twenty minutes after she sent the message, one of her friends in that group chat posted a picture of her and their other friends who were in the group chat on her Snap story hanging out.

Being totally blind to other people, only focusing on yourself, and not acknowledging what others want is not being a thoughtful human being. We're losing this quality in all aspects of society. People brushing off the fact there are orphaned children who were ripped from their parents on the Mexican border is astounding to me. Other people act oblivious and don't try to do something as simple as holding a door open for others.

Thoughtfulness--and mindfulness in general--is dying. So what can you do about it?

For starters, you can be more mindful of what you put out into the world, personally and virtually. Invite others over who feel excluded, be that friend who picks up your best friend for an adventure, or just drive to someone's house and watch Netflix with them. Don't post things that will make others feel excluded. Ask other friends when you're planning something in a smaller group and let them know they're welcome to come along.

In a larger sense, try to anticipate other people's needs. If there's someone behind you who has full hands, hold the door open. Assist someone less fortunate than you and donate your time volunteering. Read the news and advocate for others who aren't able to advocate for themselves.

These little things will lead to a movement as a whole if we all start resurrecting thoughtfulness and mindfulness. Our world will be better because of it.