SELFISHNESS
Selfishness is a concern of one's own welfare or advantage with a general disregard for others. I believe this about sums it all up why some individuals are successful and others are not. If you are always trying to take, it creates a corrupt, deficiency environment where the flow of positive energy seizes to exist. This occurs in any aspects of life. If you are always looking out for yourself, you are creating an animalistic survival of the fittest environment. With this type of thinking, everything is a struggle. Things will not flow according to the laws of the universe. You are creating a concept where you have to fight for everything in order to survive. This creates an all about me, me, me attitude. It pains my heart because that is contrary to my belief on how life really works. In, President John F. Kennedy's, inauguration address on January 20, 1961, much can be learned by reading his speech in its entirety. But, I will quote a few sections as I think it will be very useful for today's topic. Although, I find it ironic that many may criticized my beliefs simply out of their own disbeliefs. However, I live by simple rules. One of them being that I really do not care what others think about me. What they think about me is their business. What I think about me is my business. To me, my business is more important than their opinion of me. Back to JFK, "... For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty...," "... the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state, but from the hands of god..." I believe that JFK was an inspired individual. He believed, as I do from my soul, that we all have the power to live the life we want. No one can ever take that away from us other that ourselves through fear and doubt. In addition, to this power that we are all endowed with, he goes on to say, …" And so my fellow Americans: ask not what America can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."
This is, in my opinion, the formula for manifesting things you desire into your life. To give of yourself for the sake of others. By taking this approach, it spiritually opens up the mechanism for you to receive. However, giving, whether it's your time or money, has to be genuine. In other words, not attached to any exterior motives. In act 20:25, Jesus stated, "...it is more blessed to give than to receive." I have many examples on how when I gave, it came back to be many times over. Whether you are enlightened or not is irrelevant. It works just the same. When I was a young police officer in New York City, on occasion when I arrested someone, I knew they were going to be locked up for awhile so I would sometimes go in my pocket and pull out my only five dollars that I had to buy the person I arrested something to eat. Remember that back then I was on a fixed income. Being on a police officer's salary was a slight step up from poverty. The times I did this for others, it never failed to be returned to me many times more. I remember going home on one of these occasions and finding an unexpected check in the mail for money that was owed to me. Money that I forgot all about because I knew when I loaned it that getting paid back was probably not going to happen. Recently, when I have decided to do legal work pro-bona or give a homeless person a few dollars on the street, I have either received a new paying client or have literally found money on the street. If you give you will get back!! But, remember it has to be genuine and with no expectations of a return. This law will never fail.
The most selfish personal act I can possible think of is expecting others to take care of you. Whether you expect government or family to care for you, it is selfish. We have the power and ability and I would say, the obligation to create and produce. Part of that is to provide for ourselves toward the end of our lives. That is part of our payback to our loved ones or society in general. That is our payment for rent, to be in this amazing place called earth. So ask yourself, "what am I going to do for society?" It can be selling cold water on Miami beach, it can be playing the piano, or painting a piece of art, or building a house for someone or becoming a lawyer and serving your community, or a doctor to help the ill, or a fabulous cook, or a father, or mother, or coach or teacher or whatever it is that floats your boat. But, do something to benefit society as a whole. I recently had a young man in his twenties tell me that his mother who is in her late fifties told him that he MUST care for her when she is feeble and old. I understand if you want to care for a loved one. I would probably want to care for my loved one also. But, to be required to do it or to put that burden on someone is the most selfish and burdensome act someone can put on another individual. We should all try to live a life where we are not dependent on anyone. We have an obligation to at least attempt to put ourselves in that position. We all are the masters of our lives. We all have the power to live as we please. This power does not discriminate. Using excuses to justify for failing or not even trying, is an easy way out. William Shakespeare said, " God has given you one face, and you make yourself another." I say god has given you one life with all the tools to succeed but many have chosen not to. I leave you with a poem on point.
"If you wish for the happy years, and the love of a friend who sees your tears, and the world's respect, and an honored name, and all the joy which the gentle claim, you must think of others in all you do, you must think of them first and last of you.
Author unknown
Just a thought.
This is, in my opinion, the formula for manifesting things you desire into your life. To give of yourself for the sake of others. By taking this approach, it spiritually opens up the mechanism for you to receive. However, giving, whether it's your time or money, has to be genuine. In other words, not attached to any exterior motives. In act 20:25, Jesus stated, "...it is more blessed to give than to receive." I have many examples on how when I gave, it came back to be many times over. Whether you are enlightened or not is irrelevant. It works just the same. When I was a young police officer in New York City, on occasion when I arrested someone, I knew they were going to be locked up for awhile so I would sometimes go in my pocket and pull out my only five dollars that I had to buy the person I arrested something to eat. Remember that back then I was on a fixed income. Being on a police officer's salary was a slight step up from poverty. The times I did this for others, it never failed to be returned to me many times more. I remember going home on one of these occasions and finding an unexpected check in the mail for money that was owed to me. Money that I forgot all about because I knew when I loaned it that getting paid back was probably not going to happen. Recently, when I have decided to do legal work pro-bona or give a homeless person a few dollars on the street, I have either received a new paying client or have literally found money on the street. If you give you will get back!! But, remember it has to be genuine and with no expectations of a return. This law will never fail.
The most selfish personal act I can possible think of is expecting others to take care of you. Whether you expect government or family to care for you, it is selfish. We have the power and ability and I would say, the obligation to create and produce. Part of that is to provide for ourselves toward the end of our lives. That is part of our payback to our loved ones or society in general. That is our payment for rent, to be in this amazing place called earth. So ask yourself, "what am I going to do for society?" It can be selling cold water on Miami beach, it can be playing the piano, or painting a piece of art, or building a house for someone or becoming a lawyer and serving your community, or a doctor to help the ill, or a fabulous cook, or a father, or mother, or coach or teacher or whatever it is that floats your boat. But, do something to benefit society as a whole. I recently had a young man in his twenties tell me that his mother who is in her late fifties told him that he MUST care for her when she is feeble and old. I understand if you want to care for a loved one. I would probably want to care for my loved one also. But, to be required to do it or to put that burden on someone is the most selfish and burdensome act someone can put on another individual. We should all try to live a life where we are not dependent on anyone. We have an obligation to at least attempt to put ourselves in that position. We all are the masters of our lives. We all have the power to live as we please. This power does not discriminate. Using excuses to justify for failing or not even trying, is an easy way out. William Shakespeare said, " God has given you one face, and you make yourself another." I say god has given you one life with all the tools to succeed but many have chosen not to. I leave you with a poem on point.
"If you wish for the happy years, and the love of a friend who sees your tears, and the world's respect, and an honored name, and all the joy which the gentle claim, you must think of others in all you do, you must think of them first and last of you.
Author unknown
Just a thought.