Is Being Selfish Good?

I was rechecking my project with my sleep deprived eyes, when Tresa ma’am came to my cabin. Tresa, a friend cum senior, in my office had been a great help right from finding me an accommodation to helping with my assignments. She smiled at me and asked me for coffee. Anybody could make out in a glance that I have not got enough sleep since the last few weeks!

I was busy preparing a project for the “Tech Yudh”. Geeks from all the branches of the company were going to participate, though it was not compulsory for a fresher  like me, yet I wanted to make a mark with my project and proof myself as the youngest achiever! The winner would get a chance to work on the most prestigious international project of the company with top software engineers of the world.

Though I was just done with my project yet to give rest to my nerves I asked Tresa Ma’am to go through my project & inform me if I should make any last minute corrections.

She was astounded to know that I had made a project which was meant for seniors like her. She told me about her hospitalized mother and that she barely has time to make this project which is mandatory for her according to the new norms.

I empathized with her and told her to check my project. When she was going through my project my eyes were continuously glued to her face for a response. She was really impressed by my work.

But before I could celebrate my success, I faced the biggest nightmare of my life.  Tresa requested me if I could give her my project. She told me about her family problems and how her boss had given her a provocation for this project. She said “I won’t force you it’s just a request your little gesture can save my job!”

“How can anyone be so selfish?”,I thought to myself. I had been working so hard for this project, though it was not mandatory for me to make this project ,yet I did so to stand out. “I will never give it to her”, I mumbled. It is then when images of Tresa helping me unlimited times flashed in my eyes. “Am I being selfish or is it Tresa  whose acting selfishly? What should I do? “ I was burbling this when my roommate woke me up! I felt water droplets on my face as she yelled at me saying, “Get up otherwise you will be late for the office.”

“OMG! It was a dream”, I said in astonishment and pushed myself off the bed. I got ready & rushed for my office. On my way to office I recalled the dream and thought what I would do if it really happens. A saying that early morning dreams come true gave me goose bumps!

I pondered “Is being selfish good?”

My conscience asked me back “selfishness is always wrong, right?” Being selfish,  is not always bad. In fact, there are many situations where selfishness is a requirement for success.

We live in a weird time where there is constant discussion of “win-win” situations, where the expected outcome is equality for both parties. “Win-win” is now defined as an outcome where each party receives a positive outcome…equally.

There's a fine line between selfish (only considering yourself/I, me and myself) and self preservation (consider everything, but act in your own best interest).

I would contend that selfish is never good, but self preservation is often necessary.

For example in case of a tragedy, to  put on your oxygen mask before helping others is a perfect example of self preservation because, if you can't help yourself you are of no use to anyone else. Self preservation is an essential skill for an entrepreneur. Selfish would be taking your neighbor's oxygen mask and thinking about saving only your life.

By the time I reached office I had a clear panorama to what I would do if I face such a condition. I would offer my help to Tresa who had selflessly helped me numerous times.

I decide to show my project directly to the dean, and as I had anticipated, he was highly impressed by my zeal and hard work! In fact he announced that I would get a accolade and special guidance from the senior panel to enhance my project for “Tech-Yudh”.

“Congratulations and celebrations”, enchanted my office mates. But the person with whom I wanted to share this happiness the most , was no-where to be seen. My eyes were looking for Tresa Ma’am, when one of her friend told me the sad news of her mother’s demise. And before I could call her to express sympathy she herself called me to congratulate. I was wondering if my dream will come true, but she did not ask for any favor , instead gave me numerous blessings.

It was surely a win-win condition for me. I realized that, “Selfishness shouldn't necessarily have a negative connotation at all times.”