The stupid way to be selfish is seeking happiness for ourselves alone.
Many of us are convinced that society is in moral decline, with kindness and compassion fading away.
Yet, this belief, while pervasive, is fundamentally misguided.
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Recent research published inNatureby Adam Mastroianni and Daniel Gilbert sheds light on this misconception.
This is where the concept of intelligentselfishnesscomes into play.
To live intelligently selfishly is to understand that our well-being is linked with the well-being of others.
The happiness we seek is most easily found when we contribute to the happiness of those around us.
But in todays fast-paced, success-driven world, its a truth we must constantly remind ourselves of.
Gratitude plays a crucial role in this process.
Broadened mindsets carry indirect and long-term adaptive benefits because broadening builds enduring personal resources, Fredrickson explains.
These resources become reserves we can draw on during future challenges, enhancing our resilience and overall well-being.
Positive emotions encourage us to think creatively, act in new ways, and connect more effectively with others.
The entire process then repeats itself, creating a positive feedback loop.
Cant you agree that we live in a world that glorifies the negative?
My friend, Stephen Kotler, calls it the Cult of Trauma.
However, today it often leads to unnecessary anxiety and stress.
Give thanks for those moments, and then ask yourself: How can I be intelligently selfish today?
This is the paradox of intelligent selfishness: the more we give, the more we receive.
The more we invest in others, the richer our own lives become.
