ARE YOU SELFISH?

When we are posed with this question "Are you selfish?" most of us would shake our heads vigorously, indicating a strong NO. Why? Because we always think of the dictionary meaning -"lacking consideration for other people; concerned chiefly with one's own personal profit or pleasure."

But I say that we SHOULD be selfish. You must be thinking "This guy has a few screws loose!"

I will reply with an example.

Before any flight takes off, the flight attendants instructs us of the various  safety measures that we have to take. Last of these measures is - what happens when there is  a drop in air pressure. 

The masks will drop down in front of us. The attendants than repeat "Please put on your own mask before helping others"  We are to do this even if the co-passenger is our own child / spouse / love of our life / elderly person etc etc. Only once yours is fixed on properly, you are to help others. Why?

Otherwise you too will also run out of oxygen. 

Yet in life we take a different approach. We put the needs / aspirations of others before our own. We put others first. We spend money on things that we don't like just to impress others. 

WE FORGET TO PUT ON OUR OWN MASK FIRST.

You have to take care of yourself first. Every single day. Otherwise you will not have the energy to be there for others. Selflessness can only come from an initial place of selfishness. It sounds mean. But it is the kindest thing you can do to yourself. Focus on yourself first before reaching out to others.

Without your oxygen, without your energy, you will burn out fast and you will not be there when someone needs you. So PUT ON YOUR MASK FIRST - NOW. Take that much needed breaks before you burn out. Find out what gives you energy - and do it. 

Be selfish