Selfish is Good

The title of this post may shock you but, in essence, it is very correct. In fact I could include family and friends in this as well. Because being selfish around them can sometimes have an opposite, but good, effect on both you and those around you.Let me first say that “getting what you want” is part of my selfish pitch but not necessarily a selfish endeavour.

Years ago in elementary school we had film breaks once a week with subjects such as proper etiquette and how to survive a nuclear blast (no kidding!) One of these films was about being nice to people and was called: Be Selfish for Others. In this flick the guys wore suits and fedoras and the woman wore long dresses and pearl necklaces like June Cleaver, Beaver’s mom.

The gist of it was that being nice to people brought good things to you – which is true. Getting what you want is not really self-centered because it trickles down to your friends and family. It’s like the airplane safety check: If the aircraft loses oxygen and the masks drop, does a mother put the mask on her child first? No, she puts it on herself because if she she faints from lack of oxygen while trying to get the mask on her child they both will not get the benefits and maybe die.

I’m not saying that you have to act like a spoiled brat but putting your dreams at the forefront clears the way for you to assist others and be a good friend. Because as a friend once advise me, “You’re no good to anyone else if you haven’t cured yourself.

So be selfish. Get what you want. Just don’t forget from whence you came.