Selfishness is a word that we are likely to be confronted with every day…
But what does it really mean and how should it be applied to our daily lives, if at all?
Most dictionaries define selfishness as…
“Devoted to or caring only for oneself; concerned primarily with one’s own interests, benefits, welfare, etc., regardless of others.”
I pondered on this definition and eventually came to a conclusion that this is possibly one of the most misused words in the English vocabulary.
I asked myself the question..
Is it selfish to pursue our dreams, to live the life we desire, to see what we can achieve; to explore new horizons and to develop as individuals; to stand at the edge and look at the world through a different lens…?
As individuals our life and the way we lead it creates a mosaic of who we are.
The pieces of a jigsaw puzzle randomly sitting in a box are meaningless unless they are joined.
In much the same way the pieces of our lives, scattered, cannot portray or project anything about who we are or what we seek to be until pieced together.
Interlocked they provide a mosaic of whom we really are…
The picture unfolds…
Whom or what would we be if we were not able to join the random pieces together and pursue our dreams?
Would we ever achieve our real potential, or would a fear of selfishness limit us and how we develop as individuals?
Baz – The Landy
Xplore 
Wow… This really made me think. Great article
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Always good to reflect!
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With any of my adventurers i try to involve my friends. Some trips might be a bit more extreme than the others. But at long as you are out there doing what you love, having fun and sharing the experiences with others then that is great. People do sometimes get annoyed at me when i tell them they are unable to come on the trip. Though it is usually due to safety concerns and lack of skills. But in the future i will put on other trips to train them up so everyone can enjoy it.
Remembering the looks on my mates faces when i take them out of their comfort zones. And then listening to all the stories at the pub a few days later as they tell their other friends what they were up to over the weekend.
It is great seeing your photos and stories to know that i am not the only one who runs away all the time to do things like this.
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And I think that is a great idea, engaging people and involving them…And I’m about to “retire” so I’ll be running away lots…with everyone’s blessing. Cheers, Baz
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I think in this PC world sometimes others use the threat of calling someone “selfish” in an effort to control or manipulate them. I am only speaking from personal experience with some of my close family members, so it may not be the same for all. They used to use this style of manipulation to a bizarre extreme ( ie. you were selfish if you made a dinner you liked rather than the kid’s favorite, your were selfish if you didn’t help your 8 year old get dressed, you were selfish if you had any free time or hobbies, etc……really bizarre to see this in writing, but it gets even stranger). Anyways, to make a very long story short, we ended up cutting all ties. Two years later , after zero contact, we finally have our lives back , plus we can finally parent our children and our marriage is the best it has been. I think when someone starts “selfish” shaming, there is a bigger picture. Unfortunately it is hard to explain to the outer world, which is why it is so easy for dysfunctional situations to take hold, and it is so hard to escape them. (thanks for the therapy!!)
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Well, you are welcome on the therapy! I was kind of reflecting, as I do sometimes, sand yes, I’m hearing you on this…Cheers, Baz
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I have had this discussion time and time again. It is NOT selfish to do what is needed to fulfill your dreams. Nor is is selfish if those dreams put you in danger. Those who love you will know why you do it, and if the worst happens, that you were happy while doing it.
Only those who avoid risks and have no dreams would think it selfish.
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food for thought there – and some great photos….
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