Selflessness is all about putting the needs of others before your own. Being selfless helps us identify and connect with others and that in and of itself is rewarding. Selflessness helps us act from our heart and soul instead of our ego, tapping into our true desired feelings.
It helps improve our relationships – rather than expecting your friend to make you feel a certain way, you can shift your focus to being in the relationship for the other person.
Have you ever been caught in a conversation with someone who is just talking your ear off and your mind starts to drift and all you can think about is all the better things you could be doing with your time? I’m sure we’ve all had an experience like this in one shape, form, or another. Well, what if you could practice selflessness here instead? Give that person your upmost attention. Look at that person and think to yourself how that person is just like you. How that person is a human being with feelings, worries, dreams, and fears just like you. Connect with that person because that is what that person needs. You don’t know what may be going on that person’s life. Maybe all he/she needs is someone to listen. Someone to connect with. And you could change that person’s day, week, or even year by being present and staying and listening. You just don’t know.
We can practice selflessness in our relationships, marriages, and friendships every day. Rather than thinking how this relationship is supposed to make you feel, shift the focus and make it about the other person. Think, “May you be happy” and “I am in this for you.” Notice how it impacts your relationships and your connections with others who are close to you. We hold all these expectations for our loved ones – parents, siblings, friends, and by holding these expectations, often times we come up disappointed. By shifting the attention and purpose back to them and how you can help them, you’re changing the dialogue and the connection. You’re setting yourself up for permanent contentment. Instead of being selfish and obtaining some temporary happiness. Eventually leading to resentment and regret for lifetime.
So what to prefer a short lived happiness, later hurting yourself or a feeling of contentment for lifetime which will eventually lead to a peacefull life, is completely upto you.