Someone asked me a question the other day that I have heard
many times before. She asked me if it was selfish to choose
joy and happiness for ourselves when there was so much misery
in this world. She felt guilty about her own happiness,
because she saw so many around her were suffering.
My answer to her and to all who feel bad or guilty about
being happy is don't. God loves us all and wants all of us
to be happy. It isn't selfish to be happy and full of joy.
In fact, it is the most unselfish thing we can do.
The only reason to have something is to share it, and you
can only share what you have. If you are choosing joy and
love in your life then that is what you will share with
others. If all you are feeling is guilt and misery then
that is all that you will be able to give away.
The truth is it is the selfish who are the most unhappy in
this life. Selfish people are always wanting more and more
things in their lives. They think that if they are rich
enough or own enough that it will finally fill the emptiness
that is in their hearts. They don't see that their own
selfishness blocks out the love and joy that could make
them whole.
John Greenleaf Whittier called selfishness, "The prison of
a soul", and that is truly what it is.
It is when you are full of love and joy, however, that this
prison opens. It is when you are full of love and joy that
your spirit soars free. It is when you are full of love and
joy that you are the most giving.
By filling your heart with love, your life with joy, and
your soul with God you give yourself the greatest gift
imaginable. And once you have this gift all you want to do
is share it with the world.
Don't be selfish then. Give love and joy to yourself and
to the world.
