“It’s not my problem” are the most dangerous four words anyone can use. At work, at school, or even just in your personal life, these are words you should never use. They show a lack of ambition, responsibility and concern for others. “What if it really isn’t my problem?” You ask yourself, but truth is that it’s always your problem. Life is full of problems, but until someone takes responsibility for it, there will always be a problem. The situation might not be something you know how to handle or have power to change, but you can’t go on ignoring it.

People’s words have much more power than they are given credit for. When someone asks you for help of any kind and your response is to immediately tell them “it’s not your problem,” then we need to talk. As soon as someone asks you for help or even just to lend an ear and listen to their frustrations, it becomes your problem. “Why is it your problem?” you wonder. Here’s why—because people need to be working together to help one another or our society will become incapable of moving forward.

The rates of crime, mental illness and substance abuse have all gone up in recent years in America. Why is that? It’s the “not my problem” mindset. It means that you don’t care enough about another person to go out of your way for them. There are all of these posts that continually run rampant on social media that say things like, “it’s okay to finish your homework before you help your struggling friend,” but is it really? You’ll put that one grade that probably doesn’t mean that much before someone’s well being? If you needed a friend, wouldn’t you want someone there for you? It doesn’t take the world to be a good friend or coworker, but it does take some sacrifice.

Everyone thinks the world revolves around them, but to burst their bubble, it doesn’t. You can be as bright as you want, but you are not the sun. The world isn’t meant to tailor to the needs of you or anyone else. In fact, the world owes nobody anything. I guess what I’m trying to say is the only way for our society to move forward is to not only focus on our own quality of living, but the well being of others. If your only problem is yourself, how can you be helpful? How can you be a good friend? It’s important to look beyond what you need and be sure to help others. If you have the ability to even lend a small hand or point someone in the right direction, just remember you’re obligated to, because it’s what you would want others to do for you.