When the chips are down or the barricades up, our fundamental self-interest will be manifest. Although some people all the time, and all of us some of the time, will do things for others in an (apparently) unselfish way, some part of wants some pay-back; an expression of appreciation - a ThankYou card or just a 'thank you'. Maybe to get approval or look good in other people's eyes.
Unadulterated altruism? I think not because - at some level, we'll all be wondering "What's in it for me?"
Not only that, I advocate and encourage HEALTHY selfishness!
Indeed, I sometimes run workshops on 'Constructive Selfishness'.
Constructive Selfishness is healthy because, if we are generous to others at the expense of our own health or well-being, that is very foolish and, by definition, unhealthy. If we insist on Rescuing others we are likely to resent it in the end.
Rescuing means doing for others what they are, potentially, capable of doing for themselves. Or doing things that we have not been asked to do or, eventually, doing things we'd really rather not!
One of the worst things about Rescuing is that it infantilises others and reinforces their Victim consciousness.
I also believe that constructive selfishness means we have more rather than less to give others.
Enlightened self-interest makes it desirable, even enjoyable to share with, support and empower others. Hopefully, we will behave with integrity whether we say 'yes' or 'no'.
Go well
See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/bd61
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