On Living Selfishly (new link, new thoughts)

A couple years ago, I posted the link to my TED-X Youth talk “On Living Selfishly” via a site with all six talks that day in April of 2022 at Choate Rosemary Hall.  I have learned that that talk is on YouTube at the TED Talks channel:

https://youtu.be/6sUNwHXvWSU?si=BUdZ5XM1kZydc7GE

I seem to be alone - to some, even goofy - in regarding myself as completely selfish. But it seem so obvious to me that one’s values and actions, and one’s responsibility for one’s choices, are what matter! It seems obvious, too, that self-righteousness - particularly, “I’m not selfish!” - is toxic to individual happiness, community spirit, and international understanding! So I thank all who see fit to share the link to my TED-X talk.  May your kindnesses come back to you every day.

How to discern one's values

There is a perfect, infallible way to discern your values and to examine them: whatever you are doing from moment to moment is the expression, the manifestation, of your conscious and unconscious values.

If that seems wrong to you, think about what part of that logic is wrong, and why. 

#confessionofaselfishman

A voice from within you?

This the Holy Spirit speaking. Call me whatever you wish: your connection to the divine; your conscience; your personal truth; your better judgment. I am no more, but no less, than the Holy Spirit within you. I am here. I am always here. And I am here for you. I care about your health and well-being. I love you and I always will. I am eager to guide you to peace of mind, healthful choices, loving and joyful relationships, and wholesome success.

If it seems otherwise, it may be that you are not listening.

It may be that other things are more important to you than paying attention to the goodness, even the holiness, within you.

It may be that it is more important to you to be right, to defend your ego, than to accept others, and yourself, without judgment.

It may simply be that it has been so long since you talked with me that you have forgotten that I am right here within you.

Now you know. Again.

- God, attrib.