Selfish?

We're all aware of what it means. It's not often held in a positive manner nor granted points in the humanitarian aspect.

Dictionary.com defines 'selfish' as: 1. adj. Devoted to caring only for oneself; concerned primarily with one's own interests, benefits, welfare, etc.; regardless of others. It even makes you feel like less of a person just reading it, eh? Devoted. Concerned primarily. Own. Benefits. Caring. Welfare. Should these words really describe us, let alone people. They do though and more often than not. Do you know a selfish person? I do. It's me. Yes, I'll admit it even though I don't like to. I'm selfish from time to time and probably on occasion I don't even realize.

There are different kinds of selfish in response to its true definition. The obvious is in its practical form. We as human beings tend to enjoy ourselves and how everything might impact us and our lives. Everyone loves a good "me" light...some more than others. We're often caught up in a busy schedule, family crises, unnecessary drama and our own struggles pushing us toward this selfishness but never realizing it. I've done it. I know others who have done it or are like it. It can be noted as a sin but it's unfortunately unavoidable by every person. It's just whether a person is capable of removing oneself from this stance and returning to the rightful ground of sanity and reality. Bring yourself back down and focus. Know what you shouldn't be. And then, whew, you feel better knowing the podium you had previously cast yourself upon is no longer.

Another form of selfish is for desire. Think about it, how often do we want something we can't have? Desire becomes longing, which might become control or satisfying needs. This might be concerning love, food, exercise, gossip, knowledge...it's endless. At times, this selfish form is acceptable. We want what we love and need. Too much of it though can lead to the wrong form of selfishness. It's usually not until we get caught up in a moment or upset or angry when we've noticed that wall is hit. Back up. Rewind. Start again. This time, do it in more of an unselfish way. Often difficult to fix. Being selfish in love is the worst to me. You never feel good after realizing you've made the mistake of asking too much or thinking you need more than necessary. Selfish love is a no go. Sometimes you have to be but to know it's the best decision for you to be strong and fight for yourself. This too being difficult to accomplish when necessary.

I also think selfishness takes the form of greed. Despite its definite form, selfish describes entities, groups of people, countries and even individuals. We always crave more, more, more! Gotta have it. Think we need it. When in reality, we're just tangled in a falsity of greed. Maybe it's greed of power...or money...food...attention...control...monopoly...resources. I see this form as an entirety many countries take on. While hundreds of countries and its people are hanging on for just another day of light with food, other countries and its people fight to control those suffering ones and bring them down. Countries greed power and being the "ultimate." Why? Human nature.

If this one word blocks the bigger picture, then yeah, why? Who wants selfish people in this world? Granted, we're all a little selfish in some form or another. But, I think it's been created because without it, people would be almost too perfect. We need a little disorder and chaos at times. This word is trouble, yes, but also makes us imperfect and special. Why? Because we learn from these mistakes. We learn from our faults in order to make ourselves better. What a cycle. No one ever wants to be selfish but hey, it happens. Now, the important lesson is this kids, don't continue to be a selfish person if you recognize it ;) I like this imperfect world we're in. And you know what, I like that I'm imperfect too.