If not for myself who am I? If only for myself who will I become?

Answer 1

You're not going to be able to get completely honest answers with these questions, but I'll try:

It's not possible to live only for everyone else. Anyone who could would end up with no personality, no interests, and in trying to please everyone would please no one and end up alone and lost.

It's just as impossible to live only for yourself. Anyone who could would be a sociopath who cares nothing for anyone else and would also end up alone and probably just as miserable.

Answer 2

This is an excellent question.

Of course, it is play on the question, the great Hillel asked "If I am not for myself, who will be for me? And if I'm only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?

It's true that first we must take care of ourselves - this is the first priority and I don't think it is selfish, but something that is completely normal and understandable. We must first take care of our needs before we can go on to other goals.

However, it's true that we cannot only think of ourselves. If we do so, we will become very selfish, egocentric people. We must sometimes step back and think of other people's feelings and needs and do what is the best for them. Sometimes, we have to put other people first. So this question is the same as Hillel's - only it is on the psychological level and also can relate to Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Before we can be altruistic and kind to others, we must first satisfy our own basic needs - yes, I do think that is true. Perhaps people who are saints rather than people can just think of others all the time, but we are talking about the real world and real people.

Answer 3

One only becomes what they have foraged themselves to be.... If no effort to become anything, then they become less than they should be.... I cannot say "nothing"... because one simply is....

yet, if one wants to be a doctor, for example, if they put forth the effort, and perservere, they will eventually become that......

Someone once said: "If one does not practice, one does not deserve to dream"...........

I believe that!!!


Your sister,
Ginger