How Being Selfish Is Not The Way

I’ve always viewed myself as a selfish person. I do things that benefit me most.

Yet 3 days ago, I realized I helped 5 different people in a single day, without me even thinking about it:

I helped a friend with his writing;
I helped the event manager at the co-working space by taking photos;
I helped my mentee for his interview for the next week;
I helped my assistant find a little more work;
I helped a friend find an assistant.

Even though I was really sick (a cold), and had 20 items on my to-do list (classic Danny), I managed to do most of my tasks, and that day felt amazing!

And then I reflected on the last few months, and realized that it was a pattern I had developed without even noticing.

I started being less self-centered and more caring for other people around me.

When I started writing on Medium back in January, my only intention was to become better at writing. It was never to help or inspire people. After the month ended, I was supposed to stop writing and move on to other skills.

But I couldn’t.

I had received so many good comments from people that I just had to keep going. But this time, not for me, but for the people who read what I write and feel a little better after.

Being Selfish Will Not Make You Happy

Looking back, the happiest moments of my life was when I had an impact on someone else’s happiness or life.

I realize now that, the little success I get is better shared with people who actually made it happen.

We never get to where we are solely through our own actions but through the actions of people around us who believe in us and help make it happen.

To this day, I don’t think I’ve ever felt better than when I made someone else feel better, or someone else made me feel better.

Think about it for a moment.

Which moments in your life were you most happy?
Why were you happy?
Did you help someone? Did someone help you?
Can you see that being selfish never brings you true happiness?

I don’t do it for selfish reasons anymore.

I know because I realize I helped someone after I helped them. I don’t think to myself: “Oh I should help this person”. I just do, without thinking about what’s in it for me.

And I certainly don’t do it for that, but your good deeds do get back to you, big time sometimes.

Karma is like a boomerang. Whatever you give out, will come back to you.

Knowing and believing that, would you rather do good for people around, or something bad?

Conclusion

That day, I helped someone, 5 people in fact, and it felt amazing. Every incredible day in my life comes from when I helped someone, or someone helped me.

Being selfish is not the way. Being selfish only ends up bringing sadness and loneliness. Realizing your own selfishness is a good step towards becoming a giver.

Helping people is a great feeling. But even though it feels good for you, do it for them. That, my friends, is true help!

You can do this!

Thanks for reading! :)