If you start subscribing to the idea that commandments are subject to your convenience, then you will start to lose values, because your needs become more important than anyone else and consequently self centered. Example: My spending a half a day at the spa is more important than spending time with my child or volunteering my time. I see it everywhere, including in myself, and today’s society seems to encourage selfishness to the point where I am wagging my finger over my lips stammering dbee-dbee-dbee. Treating yourself occasionally is a necessity, but we need to remember to do everything in moderation. It is important to recognize when we have crossed the line into selfishness.
One of my favorite reality shows, The Biggest Loser, is a good example of how this confusion is modeled and encouraged. I watch trainers repeatedly encourage and push contestants into “Put yourself and your own needs first!” However, wasn’t it gluttony towards food that pushed them to the point their own health is at risk in the first place? Having been a yo-yo dieter much of my life, the problem was within my greed in wanting more of the foods I liked. The attitude serves yourself and no one else when eating what you want whenever you want. The trainers continually want to get into the contestants head and help them overcome issues tied to emotional eating. This can be valid when directly associated to a specific trauma. However the vague reason of putting yourself first is contradictive and confusing. While it’s easy to make an example of the obvious, there are many areas in our lives where if we become too selfish, damage can be done to either ourselves or to others.
Because we are human and all make mistakes, we can all complete this sentence to apply to ourselves. Someone or something causes me to be unhappy, so I to eat, shop, drink, ignore, run away to make myself happy. It is important to maintain a healthy perspective so as not to fall on the opposite extreme of hurting others. Reference article; “The unhappy factor – has it turned into an excuse?”
I have yet to hear of an example when self absorption or avoiding the truth leads to something of great value. A celebrity icon such as Charlie Sheen may appear to have everything, but when I look at him I see someone who will never be happy. He can never have enough money, sex, drugs or alcohol. While we can see the obvious example of destruction when watching Charlie Sheen, we could all benefit from staying centered and assess when meeting our own needs has gone too far. If you start to believe you and your needs are more important than anyone else, and that the commandments don’t apply to you, the end result can be one of destruction.
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