By Patrick Robinson

Balancing selfishness and altruism is not easy. The human ego, at least at earlier levels of maturity, often drives people to less charitable ways of thinking. But since we form reality through the symbolism of words let’s look at the words or terms that define both mindsets.

Selfishness:

• Me
• Blame
• Anger
• Hate
• Pride
• Jealousy
• Complaint
• Intolerance
• Resentment
• Victim
• Self-Importance
• Power
• War
• Chaos
• Denial
• Materialism
• Past and Future focus

Altruism:

• We
• Humility
• Love
• Friendliness
• Forgiveness
• Wisdom
• Gratitude
• Acceptance
• Tolerance
• Understanding
• Unity
• Order
• Simplicity
• Sympathy
• Now focus

No one is all these things of course. It’s a continuum and many people can embrace some of the contradictions these words imply. But I list them here as a means of doing a self check. In your thoughts, messages, actions, and interactions with others where do you find your mindset fitting more accurately?

Worth asking. Don’t you agree?