A Good Man Is a Selfish One

     As I got ready today to head into town I encountered a man in the elevator of my apartment building with a rescue dog. This big brown dog immediately came in and rubbed against my leg, begging for attention, licking my hand and pushing to be petted. The dog’s name was baby; she came from an abuse home about a year ago- in the conditions of being completely terrified of people, and anything that made loud noises or sudden movements. Now, Baby is completely in love with people and able to do tasks such as play fetch, and ride alongside a bicycle. I learned Baby’s story in the amount of time it took to get from the 8^th floor to the 1^st. This man was obviously proud of Baby, and you could tell he loved her like a child- but I could also clearly tell that this man was proud of himself, and felt accomplished, and happy for doing what he considered to be a good, selfless deed.

     But if you think about it, what is a good deed? You probably think a good deed is simply an act of which benefits others but not yourself. But is that really true? I mean, thinking about it, doesn’t it usually benefit you? If you rescue an animal, donate money to charity, volunteer at a hospital, give a generous tip, or anything of such, I see multiple benefits for the person doing the “good deed”. Self fulfillment, pleasure, enjoyment, happiness, sense of pride- these are the rewards you receive while doing a selfless deed. And I don’t believe there’s anything wrong with that, doing something good for others to benefit you. After all, don’t we always put ourselves first?

     I had never come to the realization that all good deeds are selfish until I stumbled upon the thought in a T.V show, which then I came to think that it only makes sense, considering all man is selfish. We do things for ourselves, we consider whether or not we will benefit from it; how a certain situation will make us feel or how an act will make others think of us. We put our health and happiness and stability before others, which only makes sense considering the only life we have to worry about, is our own. But what’s wrong with just admitting that a good deed can also be a selfish one? Just because you want to donate some extra money to a hospital to make yourself feel good about helping sick children, doesn’t mean that you are a bad person. Not even the slightest- it actually makes you a developed person. If you can realize that yes although you are doing something to benefit others, while still improving or helping yourself, then I think you have room to grow. Because then it can become something you do often, and because you enjoy it. You would never consider a person who’s currently in Uganda helping build villages and schools and take care of children a selfish person, but really they get something out of it which is as equally fulfilling. They get joy, they get the satisfaction that they are able to help others, and able to make a difference. Selfish deeds are simply acts of kindness, taken a little further, and far more beneficial.

     My point being- is to be selfish, as much and long as you want. Build an orphanage, volunteer, adopt, rescue, donate, compliment. Do it all, but do it with purpose. I refuse to believe there’s such a thing as a good deed, there’s just things that certain people do to feel good about themselves. And you know what, if you happen to make someone else feel as good about it as you do, then what’s wrong with that? Be selfish. It’s what helps you grow.