Countless times, I have seen someone travelling in a vehicle, left with trash from a drink or snack they have just enjoyed. At that moment, I always watch keenly to see what they will do with the waste. Many choose to lower their windows and drop the trash outside, each wheel spin increasing the distance between them and their litter.

Some observers of this behaviour are indifferent. Others are infuriated. But before we dive into the emotions, let me ask: What makes a person choose to discard trash they have created in someone else’s space, rather than keeping it in their own (the vehicle) for proper disposal later?

Every place—public or private—has an owner. Unless the owner has explicitly indicated that their space is for garbage disposal, littering is disrespectful and uncouth. Even the person disposing of the rubbish would be upset if someone did the same in their space.

Unfortunately, this failure to care for what belongs to others is often mirrored in our human relationships.

A person who steals from another to feed their loved ones; one who sells disease-causing products to provide for their family; a leader who diverts [public] funds for personal gain; a businessperson who inflates prices to exploit others—all fail to see the intricate interconnectedness of humanity. 

Think of your life as a vehicle travelling on a road. Regardless of your driving skills, your safe journey is not solely dependent on you. If you want to reach your destination safely, you must also wish other road users a safe journey. That is how life works.

Just like each vehicle has one driver, God has assigned each of us spheres of influence—areas where we should primarily invest our time, emotions, energy, and resources—because we have limited capacity in everything. But those spheres of influence should not blind us to our responsibility towards others—our fellow road users.

Our social circles—family, friends, colleagues, etc.—are where we find people to whom our primary care and concern should be directed. However, we should not allow our responsibility to our loved ones to blind us to our extended duty to care for, or at the very least wish well, others who may not be in our social circles.

Every action we take bears consequences beyond our immediate sphere of influence. If our actions make other people’s lives better, we shall enjoy the positive ripple effects of the good we do. However, if our actions antagonise other people’s lives, their negative effects will come back to haunt us.

An apt warning in this regard is captured in the book of Galatians, chapter 6, verse 7. The Bible tells us:

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”

Therefore, let us do unto all people what we would want them to do unto us, because, in due course, we shall inevitably reap what we sow.