The Positive Idea of “Self”

Summary

It is entirely possible to be self-absorbed and self-centered and it have nothing to do with narcissism.

It is entirely possible to be self-absorbed and self-centered and it have nothing to do with narcissism.

I think it’s common to associate anything that begins with “self” (including selfNESS) as something that is ego-centered and negative … but there is nothing wrong with focusing on the SELF or being CENTERED on yourSELF as long as it isn’t at someone else’s expense, as long as it’s about doing LESS HARM to others. It is a VERY GOOD thing when it comes to your health and your value.

I think self-absorbed and self-centered probably are victims of what I always call Preferred Connotation …

Self-absorption especially when it means ignoring everything and everyone around you in FAVOR of focusing on yourself … is one thing.

Self-absorption when it means HAVING to isolate yourself from everyone because you need space to heal and be self-focused on your own healing and care and don’t have the energy for anyone else … is another thing entirely …

One is harmful, the other is HEALING.

In the same vain … self-centered can also be two different things.

For example, how white people like to CENTER themselves and what the word center means in that connotation … as in: the world revolves around them, and they are the central aspect of all things and therefore the most important and most valued.

But there also needs to be self-centering in order to have a HEALTHY sense of who you are especially in a society that abuses and subjugates people daily.

Two.
Different.
Things.

It’s all about what the person wrapped in SELF is doing and what their intentions are.

Are they trying to heal? Trying to protect themselves? Trying to regain strength that was taken from them? Trying to see themselves clearly as a person of value in the world? Trying to find inner strength to recognize the “I” in a society that tries to diminish that?

Or are they trying to HARM? Are they trying to exert their will upon others? To weaken others? To suppress other people’s value?

Value yourSELF. Love yourSELF. Embrace yourSELF. Share yourSELF. Find the beauty in yourSELF and share that beauty, value, and strength with those around you in positive ways.

There is nothing wrong with that healing and that positive and empowering sense of SELF. In fact, we need more of that in the world.

Focusing on SELF isn’t inherently negative. Don’t let anyone convince you of that nonsense. That’s THEIR EGO and their SELFISHNESS trying to suppress you and CENTER themselves.