Lately I have been noticing a lot of selfishness in today's world. Instead of just thinking about it, I decided to write about it. Whether it be from my personal experience or hearing about other people's experience with it, selfishness is a very real thing. I have heard some advice that it is okay to be selfish at times - but is that really true? In my personal experience with witnessing selfishness and being selfish in my own life at times, I have learned that it is very hard for someone to realize on their own that they are being selfish. As humans, no one is perfect, but after we are selfish, we need to learn to recognize it or else we will continue being selfish and it will become a regular habit. Along with that, we also need to bring it to the person's attention when someone around us is being selfish. However, that's probably easier said than done, because we don't want to hurt others' feelings. The biggest problem with selfishness is that it brings no fulfillment of value. Although one may seem happy in their selfish pursuit, the truest form of happiness comes through helping others and being kind. Selfish pursuit leaves people constantly wanting more and their happiness is conditional on getting their own way. In short, selfishness not only hurts those around the selfish, but it hurts the one living that way as well. (http://home.messiah.edu/~lw1262/ptsn1.html) There is actually a wikiHow website with 28 steps on how to stop being selfish. I know it seems crazy, but these are some seriously good thoughts! (http://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Being-Selfish) In my personal experience, I have found that I sometimes think of others before myself. While I worry about others, I often get frustrated because I don't feel as though some people return the favor. We definitely all fall short and make mistakes, and being a selfless person is a VERY hard thing to do. And I am definitely not saying that I am selfless at all times, I definitely have my ME moments, and it is something I need to work on. However, with lots of prayer and guidance from the Lord, we can all work on becoming more selfless. Something that I think could help would be a gratitude list! I have been participating in the 100 Happy Days challenge, and I just completed day 97. While some people might see it as a me,me,me thing - the whole purpose of the challenge was to remember that something good happens in every day no matter how bad the day may seem. There is always something to be thankful for and to be positive about! The 100 Happy Days challenge has definitely helped me remember the happy things in life! Selfishness is that attitude of being concerned with one’s own interests above the interests of others. However, the Bible commands us to “do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4, NASB). I think the Bible has given us a lot of guidance on being selfless. Here are a few verses to help:
Love that is without expectations of return is unconditional and selfless. The love Jesus had for us when he suffered and died on the cross for us, and the love that God showed us with sending his only son to die for us was selfless. This is the love we should strive for and love everyone with. In my opinion, it is not okay to be selfish, so it's time to stop telling ourselves that it is. I'm going to try to live my life being more and more selfless each day! If you want to take the 100 Happy Days Challenge, go to this website :) www.100happydays.com
1 Comment
Caitlin
7/7/2014 02:56:46 am
I LOVE THIS
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
About MeMy name is Lauren. Archives
September 2016
Categories
All
|