Being Selfish

“I am my own experiment. I am my own work of art.”

Madonna

“The perfect man of old looked after himself first before looking to help others.”

Chuang Tzu (c.360 BC - c. 275 BC)

“But this revolutionary act of treating ourselves tenderly can begin to undo the aversive messages of a lifetime.”

― Tara Brach, Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life With the Heart of a Buddha

“Love (your neighbor as) yourself.”

Jesus

I am so glad to be here.  I’m glad to be writing.  I feel blessed and privileged.  I also feel curious to see what will turn up on the page.  I have no topic in mind at the moment.  I just want to write.  I need to write.  I need to write every day.  I really do like the physical feel of my fingers moving across the keyboard.  When I was younger, I enjoyed a similar sensation with the typewriter.  The physical sensation combined with the mental stimulus is invigorating. 

With regard to physicality, I know I need to give this area of my life more attention.  Tonight, while listening to The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle, I took his advice and focused on my inner body.  What I felt was heaviness and I realized very quickly that I’m not taking care of my body.  The more I focused on my inner body, the more I realized how little I take care of it.  I’m fortunate that I don’t smoke, drink or do drugs, but I know I don’t eat as well as I’d like.  That might be why I felt the heaviness in my stomach.  I think I may need to drink more water and eat more fruit.

A good friend said that life doesn’t need to be complicated, but I think I can complicate things by not taking care of myself.

What if I were more selfish?

What if I only did things that made me feel good?  What would I do?  I’d do the following because these would make me feel good:

·      I’d be the best I could be at my job.

·      I’d write every day.

·      I’d eat better.

·      I’d smile more.

·      I’d laugh more.

·      I’d spend more time with the people I love.

·      I’d forgive myself.

·      I’d walk more.

·      I’d read more.

·      I’d write more.

·      I’d take a nap every day.

·      I would guard my heart and eyes from anything unpleasant or unnecessary.

·      I’d never utter another word of gossip.

·      I’d slow down.

·      I’d exercise every day.

·      I’d reach out to those in need.

·      I’d give generously.

·      I’d never think another critical thought about another human being and if I met someone I disliked, I would pray for him or her until I understood what that person was reflecting back to me.

·      I’d be more thankful.

·      I’d save more money.

·      I would help as many people as possible.

·      I’d use my time and money more wisely.

·      I’d get rid of things I no longer need (and perhaps never needed).

·      I’d speak more positively.

·      I’d listen to uplifting music, read uplifting books and watch uplifting movies.

·      I’d think of ways to be more creative.

·      I’d look for ways to be more encouraging to more people. 

Taking care of myself is the most selfish thing I can do; it is also the most loving.

I was going to also say that I’d make happiness a goal, but I agree with an author whose name I can’t remember, that happiness is a byproduct, not a goal.  Often some of the happiest moments of my life came not when I was seeking it, but when I was in Purpose.  Then happiness came to me like a surprise visit from an old friend.

The most selfish and most loving thing I can do, however, is to Get Started and to Keep Going.  This will make me very happy.