I think there are alot of people who DO want to sacrifice for others. In fact there are some who sacrifice things which should not be sacrificed for others . that is just as bad as being selfish.

one of the most basic Christian principles is "love your Neighbor AS YOURSELF"

to make good choices we have to keep the proper balance between loving Neighbor and loving self


"the difference is that I admit it" --it is. that makes all the difference. self-honesty is very powerful


I have learned, finally, that the "Love yourself" part is essential before you can effectively practice the "love your Neighbor" Part...my needs are NOT more important than his, but it IS IMPORTANT that my needs are met, because when My needs are not met, I am MUCH less able to meet his needs. by meeting my needs first I am able to meet his needs MUCH MUCH better. in other words, selflessness is a false economy.

selfishness is a false economy also. we must "bear one another's burdens so they will be light"

:D

nice rant. a bit random, but still thought provoking. thanks for sharing.

The "needs" concept...I think where I was trying to go with that is the stupid things that people think are their's. Like if you're waiting in line for service and someone jumps in front of you who's in a wheelchair. They're excuse could be that their needs are more important because they are in a wheelchair, but that's not true. Yes...they have a handicap, but the can wait in line just like the rest of us.

That's more along the lines of what I meant. I just wrote all this down...unedited, so some of it is a little...bleh...and random...and very vague...so yeah.

You're right. There are those who want to sacrifice, and many do, but doing it in an intelligent manner is also a factor.

and what about the stupid things people do like not being willing to let someone go first just because they want to, regardless of their excuse? I always let people go first if they seem to really want to or if they seem a little stressed or whatever, or even if I have lots of stuff to check out and the have only a few things. it's nice to just smile and be nice to people sometimes. Then i don't feel frustrated by their impatience, I instead remember to enjoy waiting, enjoy life, not stress about it.Not be in a hurry. and If I am in a hurry, I might ask to go first.

my husband uses his disability as an excuse not to wait in line, just like in your example. he's not wheel chair yet, but has bad knees and back and can't stand for long. BUt at times when he could wait and just doesn't want to, he uses it as an excuse, like you say.

You caught me, almost. That is the selflessness that I do my best to practice, but it also falls upon the other person too. I was more complaining about the other person.

Bad knees and a bad back that causes him to not be able to stand long, THAT is one of those things I was talking about where it involves a problem that they can't really help. Anger is something that a person can help (Within certain limits. There are some areas where this isn't true.). If another person is in pain by waiting, they should be allowed either a seat (and their place in line kept) or to go ahead.

I do the same thing you do. I tend to like to stand in a line, which is a little weird to most people, so I don't really have a problem letting people in front of me. It's the people that make a big deal about it that bother me to death.

lol "I was complaining about the other person." I think you very much enjoy complaining about the other person.

no one can "Bother you to death" without your permission.

each of us is fully responsible for our own feelings, no matter what the other person does or fails to do. or feel. or think.

I do enjoy it.

You've a point. I'll try and change that about myself. Not let people bother me. I think what bothers me is that it's not just me they are bothering, but regardless, you've still a point.

I am the type of person who helps and protects others in need reaguardless if i know them or not and reaguardless if i gain anything. there thanks and potential friendship is what i gain. ive noticed people around me since i broke my foot. afew people try and help me without me asking. alot just tell me to get out of the way or hurry up. if you become disabled for anything and need help you will be more apreciative after you heal and want to help others in need. at least thats what i think.

Disabilities...there still is some discrepency on what I meant by that.

I wasn't downing people with disabilities. Abusing their disposition without any real reason is what I meant.

no no i didnt mean anything bad by it. i meant that since i have broken my foot and need assistance ive noticed the very low amount of selfless people in town and the high amount of people who just stand by and watch you struggle.

Oh...lol. My bad. I misunderstood you.

i understand that some people do abuse their dissabilities though.