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| Mouth-Offs | ADD and Mind
ControlWebster’s dictionary defines selfish as "one who only thinks about oneself." What the heck does that mean? The only time I have ever even heard of anyone totally thinking of only themselves are the Great Yoga Masters who go into a deep trance to block out all external thought and just feel their own inner feelings. We all think of ourselves to decide what we want, but it is impossible not to think of other things at the same time because whatever we want involves, requires, and effects things other than ourselves.
Despite this definition, we generally use the word selfish to describe someone who does mean things to others. Cruelty to others usually however, stems from personal problems within the individual rather than from the action of "thinking of oneself". People who are unhappy with themselves often express their unhappiness with a frown on their face, curt attitude, and sometimes by hurting others. People who go on a murder spree often kill themselves at the end because the pain people deal to others is often very similar to the pain people deal to themselves.
It is probably impossible to "think Only of oneself", but thinking a lot about yourself will lead you to the conclusion that you want to be happy. If you act on that impulse for happiness, you will make yourself happier and eventually express your joy by helping and spreading joy to others. Many people say you can’t love others until you learn to love yourself. In addition, you can’t love yourself until you take selfish actions such as learning to think and do for yourself.
People who listen to the negative connotations attached to the word selfish, will fear facing their own thoughts and block out inner desires. Setting up barriers to inner thoughts will prevent one from pursuing happiness as problems fester deep down. Eventually these problems may release themselves in negative ways against the self or others. A selfish person, on the other hand, will think of themselves, make themselves happy, and express their happiness in positive ways by helping or bringing cheer to others.
Despite the negative associations with the word selfish, selfish people are generally nice people while the unselfish are more likely depressed and mean to others.
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