If anyone is interested in pursuing personal growth, does this necessarily mean they are a selfish person? Not necessarily, but personal change does have effects beyond ourselves. For a moment, let's think about how or even if personal growth affects relationships.
There is no question about it. We need to have a caring relationship with ourselves before we can expect others to recipicate. Showing that we have respect for ourselves tends to encourage others to provide us with their respect for us, in return – provided that we earn that respect.
Being interested in personal growth doesn't mean you're selfish. In fact, it’s quite the contrary, but only when we 'like' ourselves. If we don’t like ourselves, it’s going to be difficult to like others with an earnst meaning or for them to truly like us.
Human beings are social beings, and we live – one way or another – in community with other human beings. When we work toward the betterment of something, in community with others, then it’s important to be honest and sincere. This almost demands we must like and respect ourselves first.
However, no matter how concerned we are about others, we are ultimately responsible only for ourselves. If we feel inadequate and victimized, then we have no power to offer another person security and strength. Without that firm personal foundation, we are building our relationships on what amounts to quicksand.
Self-development means being the best you can be and giving the best that you can give. It means asking yourself, “If I were living and working with me, given a choice, would I want to stay around?” That’s definietly a significant question, and one that demands an answer. Once honestly answered, you change what you need to change according to that answer you have given yourself.
You see, although there are tremendous personal benefits to self-development, it is, perhaps, in your relationships with others that a commitment to personal growth will bring you the most gratifying changes – and a deeper sense of happiness, contentment and a sense of fulfillment.
Think about it...
