When I was a little kid, I really felt like the world revolved around me. Like humanity began the day I was born. Like everything that happened was only happening to me specifically. Like I was the only person with a backstory and interests and a soul.

Now, especially in places like the subway, it can still slip my mind that every person came from somewhere and is going to somewhere. It feels as if they are only there for the few moments that they are in front of me.

And maybe it’s because my phone is constantly in my face, maybe I’m just a selfish millennial, but whatever it is, I know I’m not the only one who thinks that way at times. And I know it’s a really dangerous thought to have.

When you forget that the people around you are full, complete beings with mothers and little sisters and childhoods, you forget that they can feel pain, and you forget that every joke you make, or every negative comment you say, could deeply, deeply affect them. You forget that words have the potential to keep someone up at night or make their day or, in extreme cases, cause them to commit suicide.

Therefore, it’s so important to take a step back and remember that you are not the main character. The world isn’t a story that is told about only your experiences; it is a kinetic, infinite soup containing equal parts all of humanity.

So, as I’m sure someone’s told you before, treat everyone you encounter with respect and kindness because you really never know what someone’s been through.