Selflessness and Being Better to Others
Hey, Sunshine. I hope you are doing well. Today’s topic is something that I have been noticing more and more as I grow older. So much so, that I have seen it become an issue in friendships, relationships, and even the weak ties between people we barely know.
I have to add, I am not here to shame anyone because I am so so SO imperfect and I have definitely looked back at my actions in the past thinking ‘How selfish I was to do that…’
But I have learned about the weakness that selfishness bears. I have learned that true love and true friendship is selfless. I have learned that selflessness benefits you more in the long-run than the temporary pleasure you get from being selfish. Progress is never linear, but these experiences have taught me, more than anything, the beauty of being good to others and genuinely selfless.
I also learned that as people we are inherently selfish. We want what is best for ourselves, and yes, we want what is good for others, but to what extent? It is a different kind of pain when someone you consider as your close friend or family member does not celebrate your successes in the way you expect them to, or worse, in the way you would for them. There came a point when I asked myself ‘Are people genuinely happy for others or is it only when they are already successful themselves?’
It’s like life is a competition. What’s with that, by the way? Why are we constantly competing with each other? Why does it have to be a race of who’s gonna be the “winner” when we were born to be winners in our own ways (as cliche as it sounds)? Believe me when I say that selfishness is destroying our connections with other people. Selfishness is killing our spirits. It is eating us up inside to the point where have become obsessed with ourselves, and not in a good way.
On the topic of things I have learned, in a world filled with people who “don’t care” be the one who does. Be the one who listens. Be the one who accepts people for who they are and not because they will benefit you in some way. Pause. Did you get that? Because I felt that one in my soul. I will repeat myself: Be the one who accepts people for who they are and NOT because they will benefit you in some way. Be the one to ask about someone’s day, and find interest in their passions. Nowadays this is rare. But it is needed more than ever. It’s like that one song by the Black Eyed Peas, Where is the Love?
Selflessness. What does it look like and how do we master it? Well, to be honest I am still a work in progress. But what I can share with you is that selflessness is sacrifice. You are putting somebody else’s needs before your own desires. Notice how I said desires and not needs. Your needs are important. Prioritize your health and you should never ignore your needs. I emphasize this point because I don’t want to cause confusion; if somebody is affecting you negatively or bringing toxicity into your life, it is best to remove yourself from that situation.
What does selflessness look like? When you donate, you are sacrificing some of the money you worked for to feed somebody who is on the brink of death. You are taking time away from Netflix to call your friend, who is having a panic attack because she may not be able to pass her chem class. Selflessness is when you stay up late and sacrifice some of your sleep to help that person who is struggling to understand anything in lecture, while you have an A in the class. Selflessness is when you get rejected from a job, but when you find out your friend was offered the same position you celebrate even more than she does. Selflessness is being kind to others even when the world has been unkind to you lately. You don’t know anyone’s story and trust me, we are all going through something difficult at some point.
I will cut this blog post short and just conclude by saying that being selfless unlocks a new level of strength and power within you. Being selfless is attractive and being selfless radiates confidence.
Let me remind you that you are a magnet for what you project into the world. If you are genuinely good to others, you will attract genuinely good people. On the flip side, if you are selfish and careless towards others, those same type of people will enter your life. I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase many times: what comes around goes around.
Selflessness takes practice and we will mess up…again and again and again. But that is OKAY! It is your intentions that matter. I am so proud of you. You are smart and beautiful and worthy and kind and everything in between. Don’t forget to check out the latest post and follow the Instagram to stay updated whenever a new blog post comes out.
You matter. Never forget that!
Selflessness and Being Better to Others Selflessness and Being Better to Others Selflessness and Being Better to Others Selflessness and Being Better to Others Selflessness and Being Better to Others Selflessness and Being Better to Others Selflessness and Being Better to Others Selflessness and Being Better to Others Selflessness and Being Better to Others
Selflessness and Being Better to Others
