That's My Way of Saying 'I'm More Important Than You'

“Self-absorption in all its forms kills empathy, let alone compassion. When we focus on ourselves, our world contracts as our problems and preoccupations loom large. But when we focus on others, our world expands. Our own problems drift to the periphery of the mind and so seem smaller, and we increase our capacity for connection - or compassionate action.” ~ Daniel Goleman, Social Intelligence: The New Science of Human Relationships

It really kills me when people are selfish. They can think mostly of themselves. Even when they are doing 'favors' for others, it's all really about self. What am I accomplishing for myself by doing this; perhaps people will see me as a more 'caring' individual or think I am better than I really am.

When push comes to shove, these people cannot think about anyone but self. Sure, they pretend they are thinking about others. Heck, I don't know if the show is just for others, or they are fooling themselves as well! If it it didn't bug me so much, I'd feel sorry for them. They truly believe they are good people. For now though, it just makes me mad.

Don't even try. I don't care that you realize x,y,z is annoying! So don't do it. Does it assuage your non-guilt in some bizarre way? Do you not realize what you are doing?

I don't know why this bothers me so much. Perhaps it is because I try so hard to be the opposite of it. I try to put other people first, to help other people. I don't take the last seat in the van when there are 3 other people waiting for a ride. I think about the person I am supposed to go with and make sure that he has a ride. I don't make everyone come to me all the time because I can't be inconvenienced. When I take a favor from someone I try to make it up to them. When I say something, I live up to my word, even if I have to rearrange things and it isn't so convenient for me.

Why can't you be like that too? I'm not asking for the shirt off your back, which to be fair, I probably wouldn't give you either. But, I'm just asking for you to value me as a person and not only think about yourself. Because you don't understand that, you look at me like I'm selfish when I refuse to "do you a favor," ie. let you step on me. How can you be so blind to what you are doing??