Good afternoon and welcome to a (late) edition of Wisdom Wednesday. Last week we focused on discrimination and striving not to discriminate against our fellow man. This week I am going to turn the tables a little and explore the virtue of selflessness. The idea to use this virtue this week comes on the eve of my eldest child’s birthday. I think about all of the dreams and desires that I have put on hold since her birth 14 years ago. I think about her smile and her happiness and I realize that is all that is important in this world.
Selflessness is very achievable for everyone—mothers and fathers. How effortlessly it is accomplished, is dependent on the person. Selflessness, is not disregarding oneself, it is giving oneself the opportunity to each potential type of joy available in the world. Selflessness is discovering contentment in each prospect, act and deliberation. Selflessness is independence from pride, self-absorption, excess and self-indulgence.
Through selflessness you allow yourself to seek the happiness you create for others, consecutively, allowing yourself to be happy too. Selfishness is an intense spotlight on oneself; it is an overwhelming effort to compel others to create your happiness over and above yourself. Selflessness is veracity and liberation, selfishness is infectious. Specifically, selflessness is the emission of happiness, and peaceful inner voice.
Could you be happy with selflessness?
10 Wisdom Wednesday Quotes: Selflessness
- “If selfishness is the key to being miserable, then selflessness must be the key to being happy!”—Joyce Meyer
- “The great and curious truth of the human experience is that selflessness is the best thing you can do for yourself.”—David McCullough Jr.
- “One day you will understand that it is harder to be kind than to be clever.”—Jeff Bezos
- “Only those who have learned the power of sincere and selfless contribution experience life’s deepest joy: true fulfillment.”—Anthony Robbins
- We are formed and molded by our thoughts. Those whose minds are shaped by selfless thoughts give joy when they speak or act. Joy follows them like a shadow that never leaves them.”—Buddha
- “Through selfless service, eternal peace is obtained.”—Sri Guru Granth Sahib
- “For those who wish to climb the mountain of spiritual awareness, the path is selfless work. For those who have attained the summit of union with the Lord, the path is stillness and peace.”—Bhagavad Gita
- “I slept and I dreamed that life is all joy. I woke and I saw that life is all service. I served and I saw that service is joy.” ― Kahlil Gibran
- “Today, I choose the higher road–the path of charity, acceptance, love, selflessness, kindness.” – Jonathan Lockwood Huie
- “Life is not about warming yourself by the fire, life is about building the fire. And generosity is the match…If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap, but if you want happiness for a lifetime, help somebody.”— Larry Luchino
