The title of this blog is a question asked me by a BFL transformer after I had written him concerning his question. His question was how to deal with depression while doing a transformation. I suggested that to cure the depression he ought to purposely and regularly practice the universal law of reciprocation by finding someone he could help, who had no capacity to pay him back, and then do an anonymous good deed for them regularly.  Well, the question he came back with clearly revealed one of the main reasons he was depressed–SELFISHNESS!

Selfishness is without a doubt the most common cultural defect in the United States these days. Yet, it is not even recognized as a characterological problem by those who have it. In fact, best selling books have been written on how to make selfishness work for you–they they of course don’t use that exact word. They usually have titles like “Getting what you want,” or “Winning, no matter what!” What those books and selfish people don’t realize is that selfishness is a dead end street, that it is never satisfied, always wants more, and always wants to give less. Thus, a selfish person is always frustrated, always craving newer and bigger things or experiences, and ends up poor, lonely and friendless.

See, my selfish “friend,” who dropped out of BFL of course, failed to understand that the only CURE for selfishness is the exact opposite–SERVICE! And the best way to truly serve, and take all the grandiosity out of it, is to do a good deed for another, and never tell a soul! Servants don’t have buildings named after them, or gigantic foundations named after them–they have something much more important. They have HUGE hearts filled with joy, and a love of life that most others can only imagine.

That’s not all, either. Empirical research has shown that people who serve regularly have less heart disease, lower blood pressure, and way less incidents of depression.

Almost no one thinks of himself as selfish. So, to diagnose this problem, you really have to examine your results of your life. Where did you spend most of your money, and on whom? What do you do with your “spare time?” Who do you think will come to your funeral? Who do you think will miss you when you’re gone? What will they say at your funeral? Answers to those questions may tell you more about whether you’re selfish than anything else.

If you don’t like the answers, put down that laptop you’re reading this from, and go find someone you can help–NOW! And do it at least twice a week, and try not to tell anyone! Selfishness doesn’t live long in a life bathed with service!