Sometimes people ask, “Are you generous or selfish?” For me, the answer isn’t a simple one. I see myself as generous at heart, but there are moments in life when I choose to be selfish, not in a bad way, but in a way that protects my future.
When I first saw this question, the first thing that came to my mind was that I am more generous than selfish. But at the same time, I cannot completely deny the fact that I also have a selfish side. I believe every human being has both, it is just the situation that brings it out of us.
For me, generosity comes naturally. I feel happier when I’m able to put a smile on someone’s face. I’ve given out things, not because I had excess, but because I couldn’t bear to see someone in need while I held back. Little acts of giving, whether it’s money, food, advice, or even time, have always been part of me. I strongly believe that what we give has a way of coming back to us, sometimes even in bigger ways. And I’ve experienced that personally.
However, I would be lying if I say I’m not selfish at times. But my kind of selfishness is not negative. It is more of self-preservation and wisdom. There are moments in life when you need to put yourself first, not because you don’t care about others, but because if you don’t protect your own interests, you may not be able to help anybody tomorrow.
Let me explain this with an example. Imagine you have just a little money left with you, and that money is your only chance to invest in something that can change your financial life forever. At the same time, someone comes to you asking for money to eat. This is not an easy situation, but if I were to face it, I would likely hold on to the money and use it for the opportunity. Some people may see that as being selfish, but the truth is, sometimes you have to choose yourself. If you miss that one chance, you might regret it for life, and you may even end up struggling in a way that makes it harder for you to help others in the future.
That kind of selfishness, to me, is positive. It is a form of discipline and self-care. You cannot pour out of an empty cup. If you always give out everything you have without thinking of yourself, you may end up with nothing, and in the long run, even the people who depend on you will suffer.
So in conclusion, I will say I am more generous than selfish. But I have also learned that there are times when being selfish is the wisest decision. The important thing is to know the difference between being selfish out of greed and being selfish out of self-preservation. I try as much as possible to live a balanced life, giving when I can and holding back when I must. At the end of the day, both generosity and selfishness, if applied in the right way, can help us grow into better humans.
At the end of the day, I believe life is about balance. Be generous when you can, but don’t be afraid to choose yourself when it matters. After all, you can only give to others when you have something to give.
Images are mine
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