J

Do you consider yourself to be selfish? That's the topic I've been pondering over today and for many years since becoming diabetic. Sometimes I can't help but feel like because of diabetes I am forced to think of myself, or my diabetic needs, before the needs of others. Maybe selfishness is a characteristic that is inherited in people who develop life threatening illnesses or diseases. Perhaps because we live with the constant reminder of the thin line between life and death, we are more in tune to our needs.

Is it true that selfishness and diabetes go hand in hand?

What do you think? Have you, like me, thought about this before? Do you think of yourself as a selfish person?

For example, I feel like I put myself and my diabetic needs and feelings, before others nine times out of ten. Can you relate to that feeling? The feeling that diabetes is constantly on your mind; it influences every decision you make therefore driving your thoughts and desires.

Maybe I'm over analyzing things a tad,

Don't get me wrong, I live for doing for others. I can't think of anything else that I would rather do, or that I derive more pleasure from, then knowing I have helped somebody. I love to see the look on people's faces or hear the joy in their voice after I've helped them.

But at the same time I also love to take care of myself.

This is a complicated issue and one that I won't resolve in just one day.

What are your thoughts on this? Do you consider yourself more selfish because of diabetes, or does it just come with the territory?

Thanks for your input. -Andy