Do you know yourself? Are you centered?
These two questions are typical growth and development questions asked in many creative ways. There is little argument that answering “yes” to either of these questions shows strength, clarity, wisdom, balance, and other admirable traits. Yet we get a different reaction and response when we combine them and ask: Are you self-centered? No, of course not! I put others first! I am altruistic! I lead a mission-based life of service! I understand that we resist being egotistical, shallow, selfish, bragging, or other seemingly negative traits that would indicate we think too highly of ourselves. I know that we’ve all met people who we both envy and judge who seem to be driven by short-sighted personal agendas. However, the flip side is also dangerous. If we are always serving others to the detriment of our own well-being we often become depleted, weary, bitter, and judgmental. At the bottom of that slippery [...]
