These days it appears people are obsessed with themselves, much more so than others. Is this anything new? Is this in our DNA? People are neurologically and biologically wired to prioritize themselves, a key element to our ability to survive, also known as self-referential bias. Humans are also hardwired for deep empathy, cooperation, and altruism. While we naturally center our own experiences, true "self-obsession" is heavily influenced by modern environments and culture. Almost every day we are told we are on our own (pull yourself up by your bootstraps) and simultaneously have to save the planet and all its inhabitants.

I am increasingly feeling a sense of hopelessness that I have any ability to truly change the course of our city, country and planet. I know I am not alone. The world seems to have successfully muted the voices of the sane and practical, opting instead for headline-generating pseudo-celebrity-driven voices that anger and divide instead. So be it. One of the best confidence boosters I learned over decades is that no one is watching or monitoring you as closely as you might believe. In fact, they may be doing the exact opposite.

I have also learned that it's virtually impossible to change others. You may influence them a wee bit or make them think but for the most part, people do not change much at all. I have also learned how much power I have to control myself, my actions, my feelings, my words, and deeds. This is one department I actually feel is very much in my control.

The easiest analogy? As you are about to take off on a flight, the flight attendant instructs all parents to place their own oxygen mask on first before attending to their kids, why?  Because you only have about 15 - 30 seconds of useful consciousness if the cabin loses pressure. If you pass out trying to help your child, both of you will be left completely helpless. Think about that.

Maybe we are truly only capable of helping, educating, negotiating, guiding, etc others once we have fully educated and worked on ourselves first?