To Be Selfless, You Must First Be Selfish
It is thought that being selfless is one of the most noble things that one can do. This is more so when it comes to your family. To selflessly give to our children and spouse is a quality that is ingrained deep within a parent. Some people go a step further and selflessly give to others and to strangers. To be selfless, one needs to first be selfish.
Be Selfish Regarding Your Health and Well Being
This is all well and good except when it comes to your health and well-being. When it comes to your health and well-being, you need to put yourself ahead of everyone else. When it comes to your health and well being, you need to be selfish. Do what ever you need to do to make sure that you are healthy.
This may come as a shocker to a lot of people but it does not have to be so. The highest level of love that one could meet is the love for one’s self. When one loves one’s self, one may be available to love others. This is the fourth and highest level of love that one could attain.
This is the highest level of love because you could only serve others and be available for others if you are healthy. When your health declines, you start becoming a liability to those around you. Instead of serving others, you are the one that needs to be served.
Do What it Necessary to Maintain or Improve Your Health
If you are already healthy, do what ever is necessary to keep up and even further improve your health. There is no limit to how healthy you can be. No matter where you are, you can always be healthier. You can always be more energetic. You can always be stronger.
If your body is not in the best of conditions, do all that is necessary to improve.
Improve Physical Health by Exercising and Eating Healthy
Exercise is the one sure way to improve physical health. Set this as a top priority. Set your exercise time. Treat your exercise time as sacred. Become more aware of the food that you eat. Do not compromise by taking sub-standard supplements. Your health is your wealth.
If you are overweight, do all that is within you power to lose the excess fat.
Improve Mental Health by Meditating
Meditation will do wonders to your mental health. Besides the positive effects on health it has scientifically proven benefits on your mental well-being. Set time for meditation. As Steven Covey says, you need to set time to sharpen the saw.
Spread it to Your Loved Ones
Explain to your spouse and children why its important that everyone put their health as a priority. Explain to your spouse why its important that both of you are healthy so that you are around to take care of the children. Do not be concerned about time away from the children. If you or your spouse unexpectedly fall ill, attention will be taken away from the children.
Further Reading;
- The 4 Levels of Love
- Is it Really Selfish to Put Your Well Being Ahead of Others
- Inspire Our Loved Ones by Running to Our Graves
- Meditation Helps with Weight Loss
- How Meditation May Help with Weight Loss
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Hi again Paramjit,
This is a great point that alot of people don’t realize. I call it being selfish in the negative way if someone, especially a spouse or parent, does not take the best care of their own health. Like you mentioned in the last paragraph, we should take care of ourselves so we can be around for our loved ones. By neglecting your health and wellness, leading to either a shorter life, or an unhealthy life that requires ongoing care from others is a very negatively selfish way to live.
Another thing people can consider to make this seem less selfish is to get their loved ones involved. Exercise can be a family activity. Eating nutritious meals together as a family is a routine every family should do regularly.
Once again you’ve provided some great useful info. Hopefully many will heed your advice.
Thanks for the feedback Aaron. A lot of people are existing at the 3rd level of love. Unfortunately these very people become a burden when they fall sick. Everyone should try at love at the 4th level. Look forward to hearing more from you.