Let’s look at the Oxford Dictionary’s definition of the word: “Selfish: lacking consideration for others; concerned chiefly with one’s own personal profit or pleasure.”
Looking around at the world today, you might view it as full of greed, narcissism, and selfishness. In the age of shameless self-promotion, selfies, and self-entitlement, it seems that people have an obsession with themselves. However, if you look at it from a different perspective, you might see that having a healthy relationship with yourself, putting your needs first, and loving yourself form a sturdy, unshakable foundation from which we can build a fulfilling life.
While narcissists put their own needs above others while using people for their personal gain, self-loving, self-actualized people see that they must garner a positive relationship with themselves so that they can form healthy relationships with others.
We are made to believe that by putting ourselves first, those we are meant to care for come second and, as such, are being let down. It’s troubling that our society has come to the point where the connotation of a word can strike fear into our conscience to the point where we question our own choices and morality. People have truly come to believe that we must sacrifice a piece of ourselves in order to be considered good people. But what good can you do if your own personal happiness is in the balance—constantly striving to appease others?
“Sometimes you have to be selfish to be selfless.”
Make choices that honor your own happiness first, and if you are able to do that, you will be better equipped to make a difference in the world around you.
