What if We Did Everything For Ourselves

In today’s society we are driven by a “me” attitude. Most every decision is based on how will this benefit me or my family? What am I going to get out of this? How does this make me look? I am convinced this generation is an entitled generation. A generation in which we think we deserve the best, without even working for it. We deserve the best job, house and car, and we shouldn’t have to do anything to obtain it. It’s just rightfully ours.

I can admit I have had my selfish moments, but once I tied the knot I begin to see how selfish I truly was and then once I had my first child, almost all selfishness was lost. You just don’t live for yourself any more, and in some regards you shouldn’t.

And news flash young folks, I had to work for my college education, my car, and where I live. Yes, I have amazing parents that I have blessed me beyond words, but I also learned the value of a dollar, and that I wasn’t “entitled” to anything. Learning the value of work, instilled in me a driven attitude and a deep appreciation of all my parents have done for me. Understanding that some of the richest in our nation have worked very hard to obtain their wealth.

Sometimes I find myself wondering what would our society look like if we only did everything for ourselves. We truly lived for ourselves. Thank goodness we haven’t gotten this far, but I’m scared we one day will, because of how our society is shaping today.

Here’s what I mean by doing everything for ourselves: 

-Only making dinner for yourself. So kids and husband/wife fend for themselves. You make dinner and it’s only for you.

-Only doing YOUR laundry. No need to throw in your friends, children’s or spouses, they can just do it themselves.

-Only using the car for YOUR errands. So if the kids need a ride to soccer practice, well that’s just too bad or if they want to visit a friend they’ll figure out how to get their.

-Only buying things for yourself, using “your” money only for you.

-Picking up only your trash or taking out only your trash.

-Only stopping to use the restroom when you need to.

-Only praying for yourself.

So this seems far fetched, but will it be one day?

Every day we are constantly doing things for others, especially as mothers. Or at least most of us are I would hope. I am picking up after R, feeding her and the family, making sure her room is clean as well as the house, buying food for her to eat as well as myself. Praying for my family and friends, making treats for my family and friends and the list could go on.

Then I look around and see the younger generation only doing what’s good for them. Not caring who they aren’t helping or hurting in the process. It’s frightening to me. What are we teaching our children?

I don’t think twice about cooking for more than just myself and buying for more than just myself. I’d rather treat my family than myself, and on a daily basis I am treating myself. I wake up every morning and take “me time.” My me time consists of running!! Sometimes it’s only 30 minutes, but other times it’s 2+ hours. And I would argue this isn’t just done for me and it’s not bad for me to do this.

My running keeps me sane, as well as my family. Believe me they wouldn’t enjoy me if I wasn’t allowed to run throughout the week. It keeps me healthy and fit, so I am able to keep up with the busy family. And it helps me run through life’s stresses and problems.

Our world would be different if we only lived for ourselves. Not a care for anyone else. I want to make sure it’s second nature to my children to be generous of their time, resources and money, as my parents did. To value a dollar and to work for everything from a job and school to relationships. To invest in their future at a young age, and to remember that they aren’t entitled to anything!! That is except for my love and God’s love 😉

What If We Did Everything For Ourselves - what would our world look like via @wholesomelybry Share on X

Until Next Time Be Whole and Be Fit