Being Selfish

Is it so important to be selfish in this world? To some extent, yes; but to an extent where you do not care for anyone? Is that justified? I am told that it means to take good care of oneself; that it is necessary to be selfish to sustain oneself. But I beg to differ.

How can one even think about taking good care of oneself when you see living beings surviving in the most despicable of conditions? Doesn’t one’s well being transcend from the well being of others? At least for me, it does.

It is important for me that the living beings around me live in a conducive environment & lead a life devoid of sadness. Only then can I be happy. A small example – suppose you & your spouse meet with an accident. Who will you rescue first? As in, will you scoot to the hospital to get treatment for your injuries & then return (God knows when) to save your spouse? Sorry to say but by then, you may very well have lost her/ him. You would not behave the way you did if you realize the connection between you & her/ him. You would not, then, afford to be selfish.

I am told things like ‘Man is a social animal’, ‘Man lives in a society’ are GAS. Again, to an extent, yes; but, isn’t that the basic essence of life? We cannot live in isolation. We are made such that we have to be interdependent.

If every person starts being selfish, it will not be long before humanity is wiped out. It is one thing to be self – centered & totally different to be selfish. When you care about others even while caring about yourself, then, that is the way to live.

I request you to spare a thought for some poor soul on earth before being selfish. Your one act of selflessness may save one life in some way somewhere.

Featured Image courtesy the Internet (boomingeye.com)