Sociological Mindfulness

Sociological Mindfulness is a topic that we talked about yesterday and today in class.  It is when we realize that we have an influence on the world around us.  Even if an action of ours doesn't seem hurtful, we can influence the way that people around us think and act.  This particular topic is interesting because it shows us that even the smallest actions that we do affect the way that the other people around us act.  Sociological Mindfulness is so rare to find in the society that we live in because we are only mindful of the things that we are responsible for (Schwalbe, Sociological Mindfulness).  Some people think that what they say or do won't matter or have any lasting affect.  In the article that we read, Schwalbe says that as Americans, we learn to be self-reliant and only to look out for ourselves (Schwalbe).  This isn't being sociologically mindful because we aren't thinking of how our actions affect others.  In my life, one way that I can become sociologically mindful is that I can be careful of the words that I choose to use and also be careful of what I am saying around other people.  This topic interests me because before yesterday I never really thought about how I affect others, just how others affect me and my life.  I think now that I am more aware of my role in shaping society I will be more careful of my actions.

-Liv