Consider these facts: Today anyone can publish their own book, post countless updates on Facebook, record their own song, post their own blog, produce their own movie and gain worldwide attention, if not millions of fans, via Youtube. Reality shows are the rage on TV, from Jersey Shore (think, but not too long, of Snookie and The Situation) to Sarah Palin’s Alaska. Anyone can become a celebrity, specifically a “laptop celebrity”. Experts who keep their finger on the pulse of humanity grow increasingly concerned. The “Me” generation has now expanded over several decades to include several generations. The self-absorbed, all about me, narcissistic, in-your-face, 15-seconds of fame culture is nothing more than the ego run amuck. The problems with unbridled egos (multiplied by 7 billion people) cannot be understated! If everyone is only looking out for themselves, many people, perhaps cultures, if not the world, will suffer greatly. Perhaps nowhere is this more evident than at the Global Environmental summit in Cancun, Mexico, where self-interests doomed any progress on global warming. NPR All Things Considered ran a story on the topic of Narcissism. Interestingly, the American Psychiatric Association has decided to delete the Narcissism Disorder from the DSM-5 Manual in 2013…suggesting that this behavior is too common now to be recognized as a disorder. Look out!
• Stress Tip for the Day:
Granted, you have to have some interest in yourself. After all, that’s what self-esteem is all about. Low self-esteem is no better than an over-barring ego! Balance, however, is the key. Self-expression is good…to a point. At what point is the line crossed? That is the million-dollar question! The opposite of narcissism is altruism; doing something for others without any expectation of reciprocation: random acts of kindness. Consider doing a random act of kindness today, and every day, to make the world a better place for us all.
• Links/Books Worth Noting:
Keith Campbell is the author of the book, The Narcissist Epidemic. He was also featured on NPR’s All Thing Considered.. Take a look at the link below:
http://www.npr.org/2010/12/11/131991083/it-s-all-about-me-but-is-narcissism-a-disorder
If you want to see something to life your spirits, consider watching this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXh7JR9oKVE
• Quote for the Day:
“Enough about me. What do you think about me?” — Bette Midler
• Photo of the Day:
In honor of the recent Global Warming conference in Cancun Mexico, a photo of the popular Myan Chac-mool statue near the blue Caribbean waters was chosen for today.
Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D. is an internationally renowned expert in the fields of stress management, mind-body-spirit healing and stress and human spirituality. He is the author of over 10 books including the bestsellers, Stand Like Mountain, Flow Like Water, Stressed Is Desserts Spelled Backward, The Art of Calm, Quiet Mind, Fearless Heart and Managing Stress (6E). He can be reached through his website:www.brianlukeseaward.net
© Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D.
