Self importance

In an ideal world, "Self importance is the bane of mankind", but, also, since we lead a materialistic existence, it becomes a double edged sword, being absolutely necessary to make oneself visible and be heard. For, no man/woman can be at peace being a nonentity. We are lying if we say that we are happy being of little consequence. We all have something to offer and unless we give importance to our agenda and our own self, we have failed the whole purpose of being here. So, how far can we stretch this concept of self importance, so as to remain in control and not let it devour us?

I am tired of the societal diktat and emphasis on 'selflessness'. I am digressing here a little bit, but, amazingly, most of these rules apply to the female counterparts. Not to sound 'feminist' or anything, but look around. In any society, be it east or west, females are expected to be the epitome of self sacrifice and compromise. Even in today's world, where we have come a long way from the gender bias that existed in previous generations, the residues of that long existing diktat is taking its toll on the 'modern' women who want to do it all. And, the women, by the virtue of their natural instinct to be 'goody-goody' and doing things the 'right' way, take it upon themselves to fit into that mould as much as possible, lest they be called a 'bitch'- the 'B' word we so try to avoid all our lives! Why do we care, really?! If you do, you are damned, if you don't, you are too!! So, why not do it(or, not do it!) and be damned!!!!!!!!

To have lived and given something to the society and the world we live in is possible only if we attach some degree of importance to self. Had we been living in caves or for that matter in an "ideal" world, it would have been another matter all together. But, we are not and we are all fighting for survival, to carve our own niche. We all deserve, if not anything, at least to reach our potential in our limited time here in this world. I can't imagine a single person who wouldn't want that for self, somewhere deep down, however much they deny this need to be. Even those who preach the idea of self importance being trivial, end up being the most observed and followed? And, many end up in the same pit of egoism and self importance that they so vehemently oppose! The human nature is such and there is no escaping this simple truth.

The universal rule, I believe, is to strike a balance and adopt a middle path in our conduct and approach towards life. Avoiding extremes, at both the 'good' and 'bad' end of the spectrum, should be our goal, if we want to be happy and content as well as make others feel the same. It's not a perfect world we are living in and life is not all black and white. It is an amalgam of good and bad, positives and negatives. We have to figure out a way to exist in harmony with the different shades of life and following extreme ideologies is not the answer. One extreme is unfair to the self and the other, unjust to others. Peaceful coexistence and significant contribution demands fairness - both to self and others. Strive to attain balance and, before you know it, everything might just fall in place!