Selfishness Campaign

I went to lunch with a good friend of mine the other day...and boy did she drop some knowledge. A lot of the gems given during the conversation resonated with me and actually made me somewhat emotional after her departure. During the conversation I realized how much she had grown as a human being and I admired that she wanted to constantly reflect on what she needed to do to become the best version of herself in the future. What really stuck with me was her acceptance of past, present, and future relationships and no longer needing to justify why some relationships may dwindle. I've given a lot of thought of what kind of person I want to be and whether or not I have actually chosen to walk down a path of betterment or bitterness by dwelling on relationships that are no longer as strong as they once were. As I write this I realize that in an effort to be selfless I've lost myself just a smidgen and maybe incorporating selfishness into my character make-up won't be such a bad thing after all. A few ideas on how to selfishly enhance my being while not negatively affecting the people I love the most are listed below:
1. Stop pushing through:
Ignoring your body or your mind is actually one of the most unhealthy things you can do to yourself. If you're tired...then you're tired...and that's OK. You shouldn't have to justify why you are unable to do something for others if it means you can not give the best version of yourself at a particular moment, especially if the event or request is trivial. Remember, while you're running around like a chicken with your head cut off...other people are asleep or resting or not worried about the unnecessary stress you have inflicted upon yourself to make others happy. So I'll take my own advice...I need to have a seat somewhere.

2. Wait for the request:
"Too often we jump in and start helping a friend, co-worker or family member before they've even asked. Then we get burned when they don't take our advice. It hurts." Go ahead and set some boundaries, because setting clear and concrete boundaries allows you to help wholeheartedly and be sincere in the process...not just enable them.

3. Find your happy and run like hell with it:
As I write this I've even begun to feel slight guilt for premeditating this whole "selfish" campaign. Approximately 5 seconds has passed and I've realized that I'm not really being selfish at all...I'm trying to be happy...and therefore the previous sentence is some bullshit. I am no longer exhausting myself by attempting to "do the most"...that is the goal for 2016. There is some quote that states "friends come and go"...that's a crock of foolishness to me. Real friends are forever no matter where you are in life, so finding your happy should not offend the ones you love the most...because they love you as well and want you to be happy.

With all of that being said...being a little selfish can lead to a happiness you have been unable to experience previously. When you're happy, your energy is infectious and inspires and encourages others to be happy too. Let's face it...everyone's a lot more fun when their happy.
Onward.
~Ola.