Success Happy

Are there any people that value others happiness over their own?

My friend told me his really pessismistic view, which is that people only care about themselves, about their own happiness. I'm hoping that this is false. What do you think?

Public Comments

1. Yes. Happiness and having a place to find solace in breaks a hardened heart establishing peace. Seeing others coexist and love each other despite differences and have the ability to truly smile, make me happy and want to live longer.
2. This is kinda a complicated answer. You should care a lot about yourself, that is where you find out what values are important to you, how to take care of yourself, what the meaning of success is to you. Do not think this is selfish, this is called taking care of yourself and being true to yourself. When you take care of yourself, listen to yourself, know that you are ok, and loved by yourself, You can slowly think about how you want to extend charity to others. The world is very hard, but also very beautiful. There will be many people lined up at your door for help if you are giving it out, most of these people have not found the love within themselves and are seeking the love of others. And you being a loving soul can help them, but help them in a way that you help yourself or rather protect themselves. But think about what happiness and help means, I believe its helping people find a way to help themselves. Loaning money - A person that needs money usually cannot pay you back, you can expect to lose this person, you never lend money, you give it and forget about it. Other help - Sometimes help can be in the form of helping people find the resources they need, for instance if someone cant find a job, help them find a place where they can get some additional skills to improve their life..don't give them money. Think about it like this...find out what is important to you, know that there are a lot of takers....channel your giving into something that you can see results, as in volunteering your time to a nursing home to read to people, etc. I am sorry that your friend has a pessimistic view, but it is his view...and you have to let him figure it out, people like this can bring you down or hold you back from doing what you were meant to do. There are so so many kind people in this world. Go online and read about Search for Common Ground, Ashoka Changemakers, Social Edge, The Skoll Foundation. And there are a lot of people who are lost who only learned how to take, and you pray that they find their way. Remember too, what Gandhi said. That you must BE the change, that you want to see, You must be the example rather than talk about it. those around you learn by watching what you do, those that understand you will respect you those that do not, you must leave behind. Kindness, is worth fighting for. Some say being nice is naive, I say to be nice is a sign of intelligence, you must be able to fight to stay kind, and its not easy and a life lesson. Stay bright, stay kind, be good to yourself and be pass it on, the world is full of kind people.
3. I've also noticed a lot of this. My childhood upbringing was very much the opposite, though. I've been told by many that I worry too much about others.