From a place of love, continued...

Lifetime Art Impressions, LLC photo

Click on the below article link to obtain background information to this blog post:

Examiner article

Actually I wasn’t familiar with the word “altruism” until I stumbled on it during my reading in my practicum class, I had to actually look it up. To give selflessly is not something I experienced until I became a mother (during my twenties) and suddenly, I got it. Actually I think I was quite selfish until I became a parent.

While I was mourning the failure of my marriage I started volunteering at a local nonprofit. It has now been 8 years I have been volunteering for this domestic violence and sexual assault shelter and this “giving” has gifted back to me in many ways. The energy seemed to breath life and color back into my world. It has shaped me as a person. It sparked a passion in me that I wasn’t sure I even held. As my world evolved it opened a path for me to go back to school and recreate myself in a helping profession as a Mental Health counselor.  I’m not sure this would have come forward had I not stretched out extending my hands to help strengthen my community and as a result I have been strengthened. I could have never imagined the positive impact this has had on me.

Does your world need improvement? If so, discover the energy that incases altruism. Give from the heart because when you do your heart will grow 10 fold. It is a loop of karma that feels better than just about anything I can think of; give it a shot and then let me know how it has positively impact you.

Selfless or selfish spectrum, continued...

Lifetime Art Impressions, LLC photo

Click on the below article link to obtain background information to this blog post:

Examiner article

I think, when I was a young mother, I was selfless and this was probably not very smart. I was sick a lot because my immune system was compromised from a lack of sleep, and from being overworked. At the time, I didn’t get a lot of support at home and I was also working full time outside of the house. I have two boys 17 months apart and they kept me moving.  It really wasn’t until I was in my 40’s (I’ll be 45 years old in a few days) that I started putting me on my priority list without feeling guilty about it.

I do not consider myself selfish because I am a sharing person. But, there are times, depending on the situation, when I choose it is in mine and the other person’s best interest not to enable them by providing an offering of some sort; some might call this tough-love.

When I think of selfishness, teenagers come to mind; I think most adolescents go through a period where they are self-centered and the world evolves around them. People can drop around them and they will still take on the victim role. Thank God most of them grow out of this stage; my experience is usually by the time they are about 18 years old, these young adults start to realize their impact on others.

What are your thoughts about selfless and selfishness? Where are you on this spectrum?