When Selfishness Surrounds Us

Human beings have the natural aptitude for being social. They have the social skills and they depend on each other to live. Sometimes, we are faced with situations whereby we are asked to seek help from those who are closest to us, and vice versa. This creates a cycle and an inter relationship. Unfortunately, such a relationship has to end at times due to selfishness and self – centeredness, when one only thinks about himself or herself.

Egoistic comes from the word “Ego” or self in Greek. It means “me”. Thus, someone who is selfish always puts “me” first above all else. Basically, it is natural for everyone to have this character since we were toddlers.

There are several factors that become the base of such a character. One factor may be the family background one is raised in. One may come from a very rich family which always supplies one’s needs, giving one whatever one asks for. This pampers one as a kid. Another factor may be the lack of love and attention. Someone who never feels love or attention from his family does not know what it feels like to be loved and thus, he does not recognize the love and sacrifice of others.

We can see selfishness very often in our daily lives. In a public area or a public transport, there might be someone smoking cigarettes like nobody’s around. He happily sniffs in the cigarette and puffs out the smoke, bringing inconvenience and health damages to those around him. Another example we see happening at home, where one family member monopolizes that television and does not want to share it with others or watch another channel.

It is truly right that we focus on ourselves, without looking at others. The mistake happens when we are so engaged in ourselves and we really put ourselves first that we no longer care about what people say, and what advises they have for us. This results in people closest to us to drift far away or even leave us. No one can stand being with a selfish person, for what he thinks of is only himself without regards to others.

So, how do we fight selfishness? First, what we need to do is look inside ourselves, do some introspection. And, never compare our lives with others. Instead, live and develop our attitude so we can serve others.

Are you a selfish person?

“Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus…”

(Philippians 2: 4 – 5) 

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