Recently, I was having a conversation with Sonny's sister, Sandy, about relationships. We came to the conclusion that most of the complaints we hear from other people are centered around themselves. They don't like how their spouse does this or that. They won't do things with others unless it's something they like to do already. They don't like how their kids act, dress or talk. They don't like how they are treated at work or church or anywhere else. It's all about me, me, me! Sounds a little selfish, right? That's because it is and, when we take a closer look, it's obvious that sin comes about because of our selfishness.

Well...our little conversation led to Sandy encouraging me to write a blog for Valentine's Day on "It's Not About Me". That got my wheels turning and the ideas flowing. Because of her challenge, I decided to dedicate the month of February to this topic. I've also asked Sandy to give me a few of her thoughts to share with you. Lord willing, putting our minds together will bring about positive results!

On to the topic at hand..."It's Not About Me". What thoughts come to your mind when you hear someone say, "It's my life and I'll do what I want"? There was a time in my life when I agreed with that statement, but now that I've really thought it through, I can't totally agree. Yes, it is your life because God gave it to you and yes, you can do what you want because God gives everyone the freedom to choose - right or wrong, good or bad. But in the end, this "all about me" attitude will not lead you where you really want to go. So, ultimately, "it's not about me!"

Obviously, since I am a Christian, I believe that it is ultimately about God from beginning to end. But I also believe that since God has given us a free will, then it's also about choices.

It's about choosing the narrow path and walking with God or choosing the path of fulfilling MY desires which lead to a life of turmoil and devastation. This life is about serving others (especially my family - physical and spiritual) or serving MYself. It's about giving my all or keeping it all for MYself. It's all about choosing God or choosing MYself. In the end, the choices I've made will matter.

Right now, the choices I make will either encourage others or tear them down. I can either choose to make the best of what God has given me or gripe and complain about what I don't have. I can truly be a helpmeet for my husband (or if you are the husband, truly love and cherish my wife) or I can be disrespectful, inconsiderate, unhappy, etc. and lose the person that I thought I could never live without. I can help others achieve their goals and rejoice with them or I can make them feel worthless and become bitter if or when they accomplish something worthwhile. I can be a blessing or a curse. So in that sense, "it is all about me." However, when you flip the coin and see what this "all about me" attitude has done to those around me, then you understand that me, myself and I affects everyone else in my world.

I do hope we can take this "It's Not About Me" journey together and see how we can change our world by changing ourselves first. All we have to do is replace one little word in the phrase "It's All About Me" to make the world a better place to live.

Philippians 2:3-4
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." (NIV)

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