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Letting go of selfishness
Originally published in The Christian Science Monitor’s Christian Science Perspective column May 30, 2025.
When teaching children how to share, it is not unusual for adults to encourage taking turns with whatever toy or book they might have their sights set on. This often works very well—until another exciting toy comes along. The next, more challenging step is for kids to learn not to wait anxiously for “my turn.”
It’s called unselfishness, and us “big kids” sometimes need to revisit this quality, too! Focusing on oneself seems pretty normal in a competitive, fast-moving world. But limiting, unhelpful characteristics such as envy, greed, and anxiety often creep in and take over when self-concern takes the lead.
As a very young girl and into my teens, I found it difficult to share my friends with others. I often felt hurt, unstable, and jealous. This very personal sense about friends and relationships was something I held on to with a very tight grip.
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