A Trait Every Human Possesses
We, as humans, possess many traits. Some even qualifying as qualities. Others being seen as faults. What many people fail to realize, is that we all possess the same group of traits; we just show them at different extents than others.
Traits that are generally considered qualities are ones that make other people around us happy. Yes, for us to be considered good or likeable or what-have-you, we must possess traits that allow other people to respect our opinions and way of life without them having to bend themselves to accomodate.
Think about the traits in your spouse/partner/significant other that made you fall in love with them. Was it the way they open the door for you? The way they selflessly devote themselves to making you happy?
How about your friends? Why are they your friends? Do they listen to you when you need someone? Do they support you throughout your decisions?
Now think of this: What are their motivations for being that way? Do you think it is simply because they love and respect you and want you to know that? That could be part of it. But really think about it. What are your own motivations for being the way you are? Is it because you want them to be happy? Or is it really because you want them to be happy with you?
When you do something for someone, is it not because you want them to continue loving you? The idea of a selfless act is exactly the opposite. None of us do a single thing without thinking of ourselves first and foremost.
One may argue; “I adopted a starving child from Africa!” or “I gave an organ to a complete straner!” This all may to well and true, but do these actions make us any less selfish? No. In fact, they go to prove our selfishness. How so? When that person thought of adopting that poor child or giving that organ, they thought about how much they would enjoy doing such.
When we do something for our lover, we do it so they will continue loving us. When we do something for our friend, it is so that they may continue being our loyal friend.
This doesn’t make us bad or anything. It is simply how we are. Fundamentally, it is our chemical makeup to be this way. No one – not a single person – is innocent of this. And simply something to think about.
Thoughout my day, I sometimes think of this and laugh, because it’s so true and so harmless.
